Description

IBM i 7.6, 7.5, 7.4, and 7.3 could allow a remote authenticated attacker to execute arbitrary code due to improper bounds checking.

Executive Summary

Technical Details

Mitigations

References

Additional Metadata

{
  "score": "7.6",
  "pubDate": "2026-08-12T18:17:24.890Z",
  "pubdate": "2026-08-12T18:17:24.890Z",
  "executiveSummary": "A vulnerability exists within IBM i 7.6, 7.5, 7.4, and 7.3 that permits a remote authenticated attacker to execute arbitrary code. The root security issue stems from improper bounds checking within the affected software components, creating conditions for memory corruption or buffer manipulation vulnerabilities. Successfully exploiting this security flaw can allow an adversary with authenticated access to compromise system integrity, execute malicious payloads with elevated privileges, and potentially hijack the underlying operating system environment. The risk implications are severe, as unauthorized code execution within enterprise server platforms frequently leads to full system compromise, data exfiltration, or lateral movement across the internal network. Exploitation requirements mandate that the threat actor possesses valid authentication credentials and network connectivity to the target system to initiate the attack vector. While remote execution vectors are present, the prerequisite of authentication serves as a boundary condition, though compromised credentials or insider threats remain significant risk vectors. Remediation requires applying the appropriate vendor-supplied fixes or security bulletins corresponding to the specific IBM i versions.",
  "technicalDetails": "The vulnerability affecting IBM i 7.6, 7.5, 7.4, and 7.3 is classified as an arbitrary code execution vulnerability driven by improper bounds checking within internal routines. Improper bounds checking occurs when software accepts input or calculates memory offsets without adequately verifying that the resulting operations remain within the allocated memory boundaries of a buffer or data structure. In the context of IBM i, this lack of rigorous boundary validation allows a remote authenticated attacker to supply specially crafted inputs that result in out-of-bounds memory access.\nThe attack flow begins when an authenticated adversary establishes a network connection to the vulnerable service or component on the target IBM i system. The attacker then transmits a malicious payload or specially crafted request designed to trigger the improper bounds checking condition. Because the underlying code fails to correctly validate the size or boundaries of the input relative to the destination buffer, the processing of this input results in memory corruption, such as a buffer overflow or unauthorized memory overwrite.\nBy carefully engineering the payload, the attacker can manipulate the execution flow of the vulnerable process, overwriting critical memory structures such as return addresses, function pointers, or data variables. This manipulation redirects execution to attacker-controlled shellcode or arbitrary instructions embedded within the payload. Given the privileges associated with the running process handling the request, the injected code executes with those corresponding system privileges, granting the attacker the ability to perform unauthorized actions, deploy persistent backdoors, or interact directly with the operating system kernel and file systems.\nThe vulnerability affects IBM i versions 7.6, 7.5, 7.4, and 7.3. Exploitation specifically requires remote network access and valid authentication credentials, meaning unauthenticated external entities cannot directly trigger the flaw without prior credential compromise. Post-exploitation impact includes complete loss of confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected IBM i partition, as arbitrary code execution at this architectural level typically translates to total administrative control over the targeted environment."
}