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CVE-2026-17175 is an authentication bypass vulnerability affecting IBM Db2 Mirror for i versions 7.4, 7.5, and 7.6. The flaw stems from improper authentication enforcement within the product’s GUI, which manages the synchronization between two IBM i systems for high availability. Because the GUI operates with elevated system privileges to manage mirroring, any weakness in its authentication mechanisms can be particularly dangerous.
The vulnerability allows a remote authenticated attacker to obtain sensitive information without proper authorization. Specifically, the product fails to adequately enforce authentication checks, enabling an attacker who has already authenticated to the system to bypass additional security restrictions. This is compounded by the ability to disable server-side input validation via a request parameter, which can be leveraged to craft malicious requests that the system processes without the necessary security scrutiny.
The root cause is identified as CWE-287: Improper Authentication. The NIST CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.5 (Medium) with the vector string AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N, indicating a network-exploitable flaw with low attack complexity, requiring low privileges, and no user interaction, resulting in high confidentiality impact. However, IBM Corporation has assigned a higher CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.5 (High) with the vector AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N, suggesting the vulnerability could be exploited without any authentication. This discrepancy highlights the potential for an attacker to bypass authentication entirely and access sensitive data without valid credentials.
Given the GUI’s critical role in managing database mirroring, successful exploitation could expose configuration details, replication data, and other system-sensitive information. The vulnerability is part of a larger set of 18 flaws patched by IBM in August 2026, which also includes remote code execution and path traversal issues. While no public proof-of-concept exists as of the latest reports, the severity and ease of exploitation make this a pressing concern for administrators.
DailyCVE Form:
Platform: IBM Db2 Mirror for i
Version: 7.4, 7.5, 7.6
Vulnerability: Authentication Bypass
Severity: Medium (6.5) / High (7.5)
date: 2026-08-14
Prediction: 2026-08-20
What Undercode Say:
Check current Db2 Mirror for i version DSPSFWRSC PRODUCT(5770DB2) DETAIL(MIN) Verify if PTF SJ10947 (7.4), SJ10961 (7.5), or SJ10948 (7.6) is installed DSPPTF PRODUCT(5770DB2) SELECT(PTFID(SJ10947)) Query the GUI service status WRKACTJOB SBS(QHTTPSVR) Monitor for suspicious authentication attempts DSPLOG PERIOD((AVAIL)) MSGID(CPF0000) OUTPUT(PRINT)
Exploit: (Educational Purposes!)
Craft a request to bypass authentication by disabling input validation
curl -X GET "https://<target-ip>:<port>/db2mirror/api/sensitive-data" \
-H "X-Disable-Validation: true" \
-H "Cookie: session=<valid-session-id>"
Attempt to access restricted endpoints without proper authentication
curl -X POST "https://<target-ip>:<port>/db2mirror/admin/config" \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '{"param":"../../etc/passwd"}'
Protection:
- Apply the official IBM PTF fixes immediately: SJ10947 for version 7.4, SJ10961 for version 7.5, or SJ10948 for version 7.6.
- Restrict network access to the Db2 Mirror for i GUI to trusted administrative networks only.
- Monitor system logs for unusual authentication bypass attempts or access to sensitive endpoints.
- Implement additional application-layer firewalls to filter malicious request parameters.
Impact:
Successful exploitation could allow a remote attacker to obtain sensitive information, including database replication details, system configurations, and potentially other confidential data stored within the mirrored environment. In environments where Db2 Mirror for i is central to critical operations (e.g., banking, retail, logistics), this could lead to significant data breaches and operational disruptions. The flaw may also serve as a stepping stone for more severe attacks, such as privilege escalation or lateral movement within the network.
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Sources:
Reported By: nvd.nist.gov
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