Sources: National Vulnerability Database, CVE.org, CISA KEV, FIRST EPSS
CVE-2026-17403 Overview
IBM API Connect 10.0.8.0 through 10.0.8.12 and 12.1.0.0 through 12.1.1.2 could allow a remote attacker to gain full administrative control due to the use of hard-coded credentials.
Critical Impact
Affected Products
- IBM API Connect: see the vendor advisory for the exact affected versions
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-11-07: CVE-2026-17403 published to the National Vulnerability Database by psirt@us.ibm.com
- 2026-11-07: last updated in the NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-17403
Vulnerability Analysis
CVE-2026-17403 is a Hard Coded Credentials weakness (CWE-798: Hard Coded Credentials) in IBM API Connect. Based on its CVSS vector, the flaw can be reached over the network, needs no login, and needs no user interaction. A password or key is built into the software.
With a CVSS base score of 9, apply the vendor fix and confirm exposure on internet facing and business critical assets first.
Root Cause
The weakness is classified as CWE-798: Hard Coded Credentials. A password or key is built into the software.
Attack Vector
Based on the CVSS vector, the flaw can be reached over the network, needs no login, and needs no user interaction. Attack complexity is high complexity.
No exploitation in the wild is confirmed by CISA at the time of the last update. Check the references below for any vendor or researcher proof of concept.
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-17403
Detection Strategies
- Inventory every instance of IBM API Connect and compare the running version with the affected range above.
- Check external attack surface scans for internet facing instances of the component.
- Run an authenticated vulnerability scan once your scanner ships a check for this CVE.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Forward IBM API Connect application, access and audit logs to your SIEM for retrospective hunting.
- Alert on new processes, configuration changes or outbound connections from the affected service.
- Track the vendor advisory and the CISA KEV catalog for changes in exploitation status.
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-17403
Immediate Actions Required
- Apply the fixed version of IBM API Connect named in the vendor advisory.
- Prioritize internet facing and business critical instances first.
- Rescan after the change to confirm the exposure is closed.
Patch Information
Use the fixed version listed in the vendor advisory for IBM API Connect.
Workarounds
- If patching must wait, restrict network access to the affected service and place it behind authentication or a web application firewall rule.
CWE References
- CWE-798: Hard Coded Credentials More CVEs with this weakness
Technical References
This entry is built directly from NVD, CISA KEV and EPSS data. Verify fixed versions in the vendor advisory before you deploy.
Frequently asked questions
Related CVEs
IBM API Connect 12.1.0.0 through 12.1.1.2 could allow a remote attacker to access internal network resources and obtain sensitive information due to server-side request forgery. A protection that blocks requests to internal addresses can be bypassed, so the server could be made to contact internal services and return part of their responses.
IBM API Connect 12.1.0.0 through 12.1.1.2 could allow an authenticated attacker to send unauthorized requests from the system due to server-side request forgery. This could be used to enumerate network resources or to support further attacks.
IBM API Connect 12.1.0.0 through 12.1.1.2 could allow an authenticated attacker to gain unauthorized access due to improper authorization. Tenant context is not sufficiently verified against the authenticated user, which could allow access to another tenant's resources.
IBM API Connect 12.1.0.0 through 12.1.1.2 could allow a remote attacker to obtain sensitive information and modify API configurations due to improper authentication. Identity information supplied in requests is not sufficiently verified, which could allow a caller to impersonate another user.
IBM API Connect 10.0.8.0 through 10.0.8.12 and 12.1.0.0 through 12.1.1.2 could allow a remote attacker to obtain sensitive information due to server-side request forgery. The affected component can be made to send requests to unintended destinations and return the response to the attacker.
IBM API Connect 10.0.8.0 through 10.0.8.12 and 12.1.0.0 through 12.1.1.2 are vulnerable to a Regular Expression Denial of Service (ReDoS) attack and to improper neutralisation of wildcard query operators.
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