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CVE-2026-16879 is an improper authorization vulnerability affecting IBM Db2 Mirror for i versions 7.4, 7.5, and 7.6. The flaw resides in the Db2 Mirror for i GUI, which processes user-supplied input without adequately verifying whether the authenticated user has the necessary permissions to perform the requested action. This is a classic instance of CWE-285 (Improper Authorization).
An attacker who possesses valid credentials to the Db2 Mirror for i system can craft malicious input designed to trick the application into bypassing its normal authorization checks. Because the GUI operates with high privileges—it is used to manage high‑availability synchronization between two IBM i systems—the impact of successful exploitation can be severe. The attacker does not need to execute arbitrary code or inject operating system commands; rather, they abuse the application’s own trust in the user’s identity to access resources or perform actions that should be restricted.
The vulnerability is remotely exploitable over the network, requires low attack complexity, and demands no user interaction. The CVSS base score assigned by IBM is 8.8 (High), with the vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. This indicates a complete loss of confidentiality, integrity, and availability if the flaw is successfully leveraged. The vulnerability was published on August 14, 2026, and last modified on August 20, 2026. IBM has released Program Temporary Fixes (PTFs) for all affected versions: SJ10947 for 7.4, SJ10961 for 7.5, and SJ10948 for 7.6. While the vulnerability is not currently listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, its high severity and ease of exploitation make it a prime target for malicious actors.
DailyCVE Form:
Platform: IBM Db2 Mirror for i
Version: 7.4, 7.5, 7.6
Vulnerability: Improper Authorization (CWE-285)
Severity: High (CVSS 8.8)
date: August 14, 2026
Prediction: Patch already available (PTF SJ10947/SJ10961/SJ10948)
What Undercode Say:
Check currently installed Db2 Mirror for i version (Run on IBM i system) DSPPTF LICPGM(5770DBM) Verify if the appropriate PTF is applied: For 7.4: SJ10947 For 7.5: SJ10961 For 7.6: SJ10948 Example command to check a specific PTF DSPPTF LICPGM(5770DBM) SELECT(SJ10947)
Analytics: Organizations should prioritize auditing their Db2 Mirror for i deployments. The authorization bypass can be triggered remotely by any authenticated user, making internal threat actors and compromised accounts particularly dangerous. Monitoring authentication logs and authorization events is critical to detect anomalous access patterns.
Exploit: (Educational Purposes!)
The vulnerability arises when user‑supplied input is used to determine access rights without proper validation. An authenticated attacker could craft a request that manipulates the authorization context. For example:
POST /db2mirror/api/resource HTTP/1.1
Host: target-ibm-i-system
Authorization: Basic <valid_credentials>
Content-Type: application/json
{
"action": "view_sensitive_data",
"target_resource": "/restricted/path/../../bypass",
"authorization_override": "true"
}
By supplying a specially crafted `target_resource` or `authorization_override` parameter, the attacker may trick the GUI into granting access to resources they should not be able to reach. This is not a code‑execution flaw, but it can be used as a stepping stone to escalate privileges or exfiltrate sensitive data.
Protection:
- Apply the IBM PTF immediately for your installed version via IBM FixCentral:
– 7.4: SJ10947
– 7.5: SJ10961
– 7.6: SJ10948
2. Enforce strict role‑based access controls (RBAC) so that only privileged accounts can perform operations that involve user‑supplied input.
3. Enable and review audit logging for authentication and authorization events; monitor for anomalous activity that could indicate exploitation.
4. Restrict network access to the Db2 Mirror for i GUI to only trusted administrative hosts.
Impact:
- Confidentiality: An attacker can read sensitive information stored in or managed by Db2 Mirror for i.
- Integrity: The attacker may modify or delete data, potentially corrupting the high‑availability mirror.
- Availability: Disruption of the mirroring service can lead to business continuity failures, especially in financial and retail sectors that rely on high‑availability systems.
- Lateral Movement: While not a direct code‑execution flaw, this authorization bypass can serve as a stepping stone for further privilege escalation within the system.
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Sources:
Reported By: nvd.nist.gov
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