Quick answer
Direct answer
Risk scores
| CVSS metric | What it means |
|---|---|
| Attack vector (AV:N) | Network: reachable remotely |
| Attack complexity (AC:L) | Low complexity |
| Privileges required (PR:L) | Low privileges required |
| User interaction (UI:N) | No user interaction |
| Scope (S:U) | Scope unchanged |
| Confidentiality (C:H) | High confidentiality impact |
| Integrity (I:H) | High integrity impact |
| Availability (A:H) | High availability impact |
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
About Ibm Datastage On Cloud Pak For Data
CVE-2026-81551 affects Ibm Datastage On Cloud Pak For Data, a product from Ibm. Before acting, confirm where Ibm Datastage On Cloud Pak For Data runs in your estate, who owns it and whether it is reachable from the internet, because exposure decides real risk more than the score alone.
What the flaw is
In plain terms: IBM DataStage on Cloud Pak for Data 5.4.0.0 could allow a remote authenticated attacker to arbitrarily write to or delete files on shared storage due to a path traversal vulnerability.
The weakness class is Path Traversal. An attacker can reach files outside the intended folder by tampering with a file path.
Based on its CVSS vector, the flaw can be reached over the network, needs some level of access, and needs no user interaction. Apply the vendor fix and confirm exposure on internet facing and business critical assets first.
Affected versions and timeline
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Product | Ibm Datastage On Cloud Pak For Data |
| Affected versions | Datastage On Cloud Pak For Data 5.4.0 |
| Published | Sep 10, 2026 |
| Last modified | Sep 16, 2026 |
| Added to CISA KEV | Not listed |
| Assigning CNA | psirt@us.ibm.com |
How to detect it
- Inventory every instance of Ibm Datastage On Cloud Pak For Data and record the running version against the affected range above.
- Check external attack surface scans for internet facing instances of the component.
- Review logs on affected systems for unusual requests, errors or new processes around the vulnerable function.
- Confirm with an authenticated vulnerability scan once your scanner has a check for this CVE.
How to fix it
- Apply the fixed version of Ibm Datastage On Cloud Pak For Data named in the vendor advisory.
- If patching must wait, restrict network access to the affected service and put it behind authentication or a web application firewall rule.
- Rescan after the change to prove the exposure is gone, then close the ticket.
CTEM action plan
| CTEM stage | What to do for this CVE |
|---|---|
| Scope | Add every business service that depends on Ibm Datastage On Cloud Pak For Data to the current CTEM cycle. |
| Discover | Find all instances, including shadow and cloud deployments, and record versions and exposure. |
| Prioritize | Rank using EPSS and CVSS together with asset exposure and business impact. |
| Validate | Confirm the flaw is reachable and exploitable in your environment and that compensating controls work. |
| Mobilize | Assign the fix to the asset owner with a due date matched to the priority, then verify closure. |
CWE References
- CWE-22: Path Traversal More CVEs with this weakness
Technical References
Frequently asked questions
Related CVEs
IBM DataStage on Cloud Pak for Data 5.4.0.0 can allow a man-in-the-middle attacker to present a forged TLS certificate, intercept the connection, and capture the IAM bearer Authorization header automatically attached by the session adapter. The captured token grants full platform-scope tenant API access, enabling the attacker to read and manipulate the victim's DataStage projects, flows, assets, and pipeline definitions. This is client-side SDK code running on the user's own machine, so exploitation requires an external network interceptor rather than a co-tenant in the shared cluster.
IBM DataStage on Cloud Pak for Data 5.4.0.0 could allow a remote authenticated attacker to execute arbitrary code due to improper validation of pathname during a path traversal.
IBM DataStage on Cloud Pak for Data 5.4.0.0 could allow a remote authenticated attacker to execute arbitrary code due to improper neutralization of special elements used in an OS command.
IBM DataStage on Cloud Pak for Data 5.4.0.0 could allow a remote authenticated attacker to cause a denial of service due to a path traversal vulnerability.
IBM DataStage on Cloud Pak for Data 5.4.0.0 could allow a remote authenticated attacker to execute arbitrary commands due to improper neutralization of special elements used in an OS command.
IBM Guardium Data Protection 12.0, 12.1, and 12.2 could allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code due to a buffer overflow.
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