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 a path traversal vulnerability.

Executive Summary

Technical Details

Mitigations

References

Additional Metadata

{
  "score": "8.5",
  "pubDate": "2026-11-07T05:18:52.133Z",
  "pubdate": "2026-11-07T05:18:52.133Z",
  "executiveSummary": "IBM API Connect versions 10.0.8.0 through 10.0.8.12 and 12.1.0.0 through 12.1.1.2 contain a path traversal vulnerability. This security flaw allows a remote, authenticated attacker to bypass file system restrictions and gain unauthorized access to sensitive information stored on the host system. The vulnerability stems from improper validation of user-supplied input used in file path construction. Successful exploitation can lead to the exposure of configuration files, credentials, or other sensitive data, potentially compromising the integrity and confidentiality of the API management environment. The risk is elevated as it allows an attacker to navigate outside of intended directories. Remediation requires updating the affected IBM API Connect instances to a version that incorporates the necessary input sanitization fixes.",
  "technicalDetails": "The vulnerability is identified as a path traversal flaw residing within the core logic of IBM API Connect. Path traversal, also known as directory traversal, occurs when an application uses unsanitized user-supplied input to construct file paths for filesystem operations. In this context, the affected component fails to adequately validate or normalize inputs containing dot-dot-slash (../) sequences or equivalent representations. This failure enables an attacker to escape the designated base directory and reference files or directories located elsewhere on the filesystem.\nExploitation requires the attacker to possess authenticated access to the IBM API Connect environment. By submitting crafted requests containing malicious path sequences, an attacker can manipulate the application into accessing files it should not have permission to read. Because the application process typically operates with specific service account privileges, the scope of accessible files is limited to those readable by that service identity, which often includes sensitive configuration manifests, system files, or proprietary deployment data.\nThe attack flow typically follows a predictable pattern: 1) Identification of an input vector that maps to a backend filesystem retrieval operation. 2) Injection of traversal sequences (e.g., '../../../../etc/passwd' or equivalent configuration file paths). 3) Submission of the request via the management interface or API gateway endpoint. 4) The server-side component fails to sanitize the path, resolving the relative sequences against the filesystem root. 5) The server processes the request and returns the contents of the target file in the HTTP response body.\nThis vulnerability is particularly dangerous in an API Connect environment where centralized management of API security, keys, and endpoint configurations occur. Unauthorized access to these files can lead to the extraction of sensitive environment variables, service credentials, or internal network topology information. Such disclosures facilitate secondary attacks, including lateral movement, credential theft, or the compromise of downstream services integrated through the API gateway. The lack of strict input canonicalization allows an attacker to bypass logical access controls, effectively rendering the application-level security mechanisms insufficient against path-based reconnaissance and exfiltration tactics."
}