Description

IBM API Connect 10.0.8.0 through 10.0.8.12 and 12.1.0.0 through 12.1.1.2 could allow a remote authenticated attacker to obtain sensitive information due to improper validation of file paths.

Executive Summary

Technical Details

Mitigations

References

Additional Metadata

{
  "score": "7.7",
  "pubDate": "2026-11-07T05:18:21.523Z",
  "pubdate": "2026-11-07T05:18:21.523Z",
  "executiveSummary": "IBM API Connect versions 10.0.8.0 through 10.0.8.12 and 12.1.0.0 through 12.1.1.2 are susceptible to a sensitive information disclosure vulnerability stemming from improper input validation of file paths.\nThis vulnerability is classified as a Path Traversal issue, which allows a remote authenticated attacker to access files or directories outside of the intended, restricted directory structure.\nBy manipulating file paths through specially crafted input, an attacker can bypass security controls to read unauthorized data stored on the underlying filesystem.\nThe successful exploitation of this flaw could result in the unauthorized exposure of sensitive configuration files, credentials, or system data, significantly compromising the confidentiality of the API management platform.\nThe attack requires the user to have valid authentication to the IBM API Connect environment; however, once authenticated, the attacker does not require elevated administrative privileges to potentially exploit the flaw depending on the specific endpoint sensitivity.\nOrganizations using the identified versions are at risk of data exfiltration and should prioritize security updates or configuration hardening to mitigate the exposure of sensitive system resources.",
  "technicalDetails": "The vulnerability resides in the input validation logic of IBM API Connect, specifically regarding how the system handles user-supplied file path references. The root cause is the failure to properly sanitize or neutralize directory traversal sequences (e.g., '../') within file path parameters processed by the application.\nIn a standard deployment, the application is expected to restrict file access to predefined, sandboxed directories. However, due to improper path validation, an attacker can input relative path sequences that effectively escape the intended directory boundary. When the application logic processes these paths to fetch, serve, or process files, the underlying OS resolves the path to locations outside the designated scope.\nThe attack flow typically involves the attacker identifying an API endpoint or a configuration utility within IBM API Connect that accepts file paths as part of its parameters. By sending a request containing traversal sequences, the attacker instructs the backend process to target sensitive system files. For example, a request might be modified to include '../' strings to navigate up the directory tree toward sensitive configuration files, cryptographic keys, or system-level artifacts.\nSince the attacker must be authenticated, this vulnerability represents an escalation of access where a legitimate user leverages existing session tokens to perform actions beyond their authorized scope. The application fails to enforce sufficient access control checks after the path normalization process, allowing the file system interface to honor the malicious path directives provided by the attacker.\nAffected versions include 10.0.8.0 through 10.0.8.12 and 12.1.0.0 through 12.1.1.2. The exposure is network-based, as the attacker interacts with the application through its standard web interface or API gateway components. The post-exploitation impact is limited primarily to read-only access to files accessible by the service account running the IBM API Connect process, but the information retrieved may provide sufficient context for further system compromise, such as obtaining database credentials, environment variables, or private certificates that facilitate lateral movement or further attacks on the infrastructure."
}