CVE-2026-16860Network attack vector

Authenticated code execution via uncontrolled search path

Published Aug 12, 2026 · Updated Aug 12, 2026

Uncontrolled search path handling in IBMi 7.3 through 7.6 allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary code. The affected lookup uses an uncontrolled search path element, but IBM has not disclosed the component, resource, or attacker-controlled location. Network authentication is required; the execution context and resulting privilege boundary remain undisclosed.

CVSS severity9.9
Critical
EPSS probability0.52%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Uncontrolled search path handling in IBMi 7.3 through 7.6 allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary code. The affected lookup uses an uncontrolled search path element, but IBM has not disclosed the component, resource, or attacker-controlled location. Network authentication is required; the execution context and resulting privilege boundary remain undisclosed.

The record

CVE
CVE-2026-16860
Published
Aug 12, 2026
Updated
Aug 12, 2026
Vendor
IBM
Product
IBM i
Classifications
CWE-427, CAPEC-471, CAPEC-38
Attack vector
network
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Aug 12, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 12, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=7.3
  2. Affected versionversion=7.4
  3. Affected versionversion=7.5
  4. Affected versionversion=7.6

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

IBM · IBM iversion=7.3; version=7.4; version=7.5; version=7.6

Published CVSS scores

9.9IBM CorporationCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:L
9.9NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-427Uncontrolled Search Path Element
CAPEC-471Search Order Hijacking
CAPEC-38Leveraging/Manipulating Configuration File Search Paths

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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