IBM Web Server Plug-ins for WebSphere Application Server and WebSphere Liberty request smuggling

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in IBM Web Server Plug-ins for WebSphere Application Server and WebSphere Liberty 8.5/9.0. It has been rated as problematic. This issue affects some unknown processing. This manipulation causes request smuggling. This vulnerability appears as CVE-2026-9170. The attack may be initiated remotely. There is no available exploit. Upgrading the affected component is advised.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as problematic was found in IBM Web Server Plug-ins for WebSphere Application Server and WebSphere Liberty 8.5/9.0. Affected by this vulnerability is an unknown function. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a request smuggling vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-444. The product acts as an intermediary HTTP agent (such as a proxy or firewall) in the data flow between two entities such as a client and server, but it does not interpret malformed HTTP requests or responses in ways that are consistent with how the messages will be processed by those entities that are at the ultimate destination. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

IBM HTTP Server 8.5, and 9.0 is vulnerable to denial of service and a potential remote code execution due to improper input validation.

It is possible to read the advisory at ibm.com. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2026-9170 since 05/21/2026. The exploitation appears to be difficult. The attack can be launched remotely. The exploitation doesn't need any form of authentication. The technical details are unknown and an exploit is not publicly available. The pricing for an exploit might be around USD $5k-$25k at the moment (estimation calculated on 07/21/2026).

Upgrading eliminates this vulnerability.

The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at EUVD (EUVD-2026-31939). Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

Type

• Application Server Software

Vendor

• IBM

Name

• Web Server Plug-ins for WebSphere Application Server and WebSphere Liberty

Version

• 8.5
• 9.0

License

• commercial

Website

• Vendor: https://www.ibm.com/

CPE 2.3info

• 🔒
• 🔒
• 🔒

CPE 2.2info

• 🔒
• 🔒
• 🔒

CVSSv4info

CVSSv3info

CVSSv2info

Exploitinginfo

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Countermeasuresinfo

Timelineinfo

Sourcesinfo

Entryinfo

Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.

Discussion