CVE-2026-16967Network attack vector

Authenticated system-object access via symlink race

Published Aug 13, 2026 · Updated Aug 13, 2026

TOCTOU in SQL on IBM’s operating system releases 7.3 through 7.6 allows remote authenticated users to access unauthorized system objects. IBM identifies a symbolic-link race but has not disclosed the affected SQL operation or the exact check and use that permit the link target to change. Low privileges and a successful race are required; exploitation bypasses authorization for system-object access.

CVSS severity8.5
High
EPSS probability0.25%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

TOCTOU in SQL on IBM’s operating system releases 7.3 through 7.6 allows remote authenticated users to access unauthorized system objects. IBM identifies a symbolic-link race but has not disclosed the affected SQL operation or the exact check and use that permit the link target to change. Low privileges and a successful race are required; exploitation bypasses authorization for system-object access.

The record

CVE
CVE-2026-16967
Published
Aug 13, 2026
Updated
Aug 13, 2026
Vendor
IBM
Product
IBM i
Classifications
CWE-367, T1222
Attack vector
network
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Aug 13, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. 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.

  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

8.5IBMCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
7.5NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/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 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-367Time-of-check Time-of-use (TOCTOU) Race Condition
T1222File and Directory Permissions Modification

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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