Description

IBM Documentation Offline 1.0.0 through 1.4.1 could allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code due to improper output neutralization for logs.

Executive Summary

Technical Details

Mitigations

References

Additional Metadata

{
  "score": "8.8",
  "pubDate": "2026-08-13T21:17:43.390Z",
  "pubdate": "2026-08-13T21:17:43.390Z",
  "executiveSummary": "A remote code execution vulnerability exists in IBM Documentation Offline versions 1.0.0 through 1.4.1. The flaw stems from improper output neutralization for logs, which can be leveraged by a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code within the context of the affected application.\nThe risk implication is severe, as successful exploitation compromises the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of the host system. An attacker with remote access capabilities can supply maliciously crafted log data that fails to undergo proper sanitization or neutralization before being processed or rendered.\nThis improper handling allows malicious payloads to break out of expected data contexts and execute arbitrary system commands or code. The vulnerability requires no specialized authentication if the logging interface is exposed remotely, granting unauthenticated threat actors the ability to achieve full system compromise through standard network interactions.\nOrganizations deploying the affected software face critical security exposure until remediation steps are applied.",
  "technicalDetails": "The root cause of the vulnerability resides in the application's logging subsystem, specifically in how log data handles output neutralization. Improper output neutralization for logs occurs when untrusted data destined for log files or diagnostic interfaces is not correctly sanitized, encoded, or escaped.\nIn IBM Documentation Offline 1.0.0 through 1.4.1, this flaw enables a remote attacker to inject malicious payloads into log streams. When the application or underlying administrative tools subsequently process, parse, or render these unneutralized logs, the injected data is interpreted as executable instructions rather than passive text.\nThe attack flow proceeds as follows: First, the remote attacker identifies an entry point where untrusted input is recorded into the application logs without adequate filtering. Second, the attacker crafts a specialized payload containing arbitrary code sequences designed to exploit the lack of output neutralization. Third, the attacker transmits this payload to the vulnerable endpoint, causing it to be written to the log facility. Finally, when the system or an administrator evaluates the logs, the malicious input triggers execution, allowing the attacker to run arbitrary code with the privileges of the application process.\nThe vulnerable component is the logging mechanism responsible for processing diagnostic outputs across versions 1.0.0 to 1.4.1. Exploitation can be executed remotely over the network without requiring prior authentication or elevated privileges, depending on network exposure.\nThe post-exploitation impact includes complete system takeover, unauthorized access to sensitive documentation repositories, data exfiltration, and potential lateral movement within the network infrastructure."
}