Arbitrary file ownership changes via unchecked path
Published Aug 13, 2026 · Updated Aug 13, 2026
Path control in Network Authentication Service on IBM's operating system 7.3 through 7.6 allows local users to change arbitrary file ownership. The service accepts an attacker-controlled file path without proper validation and applies the ownership-changing operation to the selected file. Local authenticated access is required; the bounded consequence is attacker-directed ownership changes to files reachable by the service.
Summary
What happened
Path control in Network Authentication Service on IBM's operating system 7.3 through 7.6 allows local users to change arbitrary file ownership. The service accepts an attacker-controlled file path without proper validation and applies the ownership-changing operation to the selected file. Local authenticated access is required; the bounded consequence is attacker-directed ownership changes to files reachable by the service.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2026-16898
- Published
- Aug 13, 2026
- Updated
- Aug 13, 2026
- Vendor
- IBM
- Product
- IBM i
- Classifications
- CWE-73, T1222
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- authenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Aug 13, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Aug 13, 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.
- Affected versionversion=7.3
- Affected versionversion=7.4
- Affected versionversion=7.5
- Affected versionversion=7.6
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.
Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
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Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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