CVE-2026-17481

Unauthenticated code execution via unneutralized log output

Published Aug 13, 2026 · Updated Aug 13, 2026

Remote code execution in IBM Documentation Offline 1.0.0 through 1.4.1 allows remote attackers to run code through its embedded server. The embedded Node.js server writes attacker-controlled log content without proper neutralization, but IBM has not disclosed the execution path. An unauthenticated attacker on an adjacent network can run code with the desktop application's privileges on Windows, Linux, or macOS.

CVSS severity8.8
High
EPSS probability0.57%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Remote code execution in IBM Documentation Offline 1.0.0 through 1.4.1 allows remote attackers to run code through its embedded server. The embedded Node.js server writes attacker-controlled log content without proper neutralization, but IBM has not disclosed the execution path. An unauthenticated attacker on an adjacent network can run code with the desktop application's privileges on Windows, Linux, or macOS.

The record

CVE
CVE-2026-17481
Published
Aug 13, 2026
Updated
Aug 13, 2026
Vendor
IBM
Product
IBM Documentation Offline
Classifications
CWE-117, T1190
Attack vector
adjacent
Privileges
unauthenticated

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=1.0.0 <=1.4.1

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectoradjacent
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

IBM · IBM Documentation Offlineversion=1.0.0 <=1.4.1

Published CVSS scores

9.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
8.8IBMCVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:N/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)
Vectoradjacent
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-117Improper Output Neutralization for Logs
T1190Exploit Public-Facing Application

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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