CVE-2026-18669: CWE-250 Execution with Unnecessary Privileges
IBM i 7.6, 7.5, 7.4, and 7.3 is vulnerable to a privilege escalation as the result of a remote code execution vulnerability in the activation engine component. An authenticated attacker can execute a maliciously planted script with root authority.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
CVE-2026-18669 is a privilege escalation vulnerability classified under CWE-250 affecting IBM i versions 7.3 through 7.6. The flaw exists in the activation engine component, where an authenticated attacker can execute a maliciously planted script with root authority, leading to full system compromise. The vulnerability has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 8.8, indicating high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. No official patch or remediation level has been disclosed by IBM at this time.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation allows an authenticated attacker to escalate privileges to root level by executing arbitrary code with unnecessary elevated privileges. This results in complete system compromise, including full control over the affected IBM i system's confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix is available, restrict access to authenticated users and monitor for suspicious activity related to the activation engine component. Avoid deploying untrusted scripts or code in the affected environment.
CVE-2026-18669: CWE-250 Execution with Unnecessary Privileges
Description
IBM i 7.6, 7.5, 7.4, and 7.3 is vulnerable to a privilege escalation as the result of a remote code execution vulnerability in the activation engine component. An authenticated attacker can execute a maliciously planted script with root authority.
CVSS v3.1
Score 8.8high
Affected software
cpe:2.3:a:ibm:i:7.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:*cpe:2.3:a:ibm:i:7.6.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*cpe:2.3:a:ibm:i:7.5:*:*:*:*:*:*:*cpe:2.3:a:ibm:i:7.5.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*cpe:2.3:a:ibm:i:7.4:*:*:*:*:*:*:*cpe:2.3:a:ibm:i:7.4.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*Weaknesses
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
CVE-2026-18669 is a privilege escalation vulnerability classified under CWE-250 affecting IBM i versions 7.3 through 7.6. The flaw exists in the activation engine component, where an authenticated attacker can execute a maliciously planted script with root authority, leading to full system compromise. The vulnerability has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 8.8, indicating high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. No official patch or remediation level has been disclosed by IBM at this time.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation allows an authenticated attacker to escalate privileges to root level by executing arbitrary code with unnecessary elevated privileges. This results in complete system compromise, including full control over the affected IBM i system's confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix is available, restrict access to authenticated users and monitor for suspicious activity related to the activation engine component. Avoid deploying untrusted scripts or code in the affected environment.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- ibm
- Date Reserved
- 2026-08-03T14:49:31.412Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Remediation Level
- null
Threat ID: 6a7cb3e8bf8831d539ed55cc
Added to database: 08/12/2026, 17:56:56 UTC
Last enriched: 08/12/2026, 18:11:33 UTC
Last updated: 08/13/2026, 03:32:07 UTC
Views: 10
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