# CVE-2026-102917: IBM i privilege escalation in improper privilege management

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-102917-ibm-i-7-3-7-4-7-5-and-7-6-is-vulnerable-to-an-authenticated  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-10-16. Updated: 2026-10-16  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-102917 · Severity: high · CVSS 7.8 · Published 2026-10-16

IBM i is an enterprise operating system that runs critical business applications on IBM Power hardware. An authenticated user with limited privileges can exploit an improper privilege management flaw to gain root-level (QSECOFR) authority, allowing them to take full control of the system and access or modify any data. This requires valid login credentials but poses a severe risk to system integrity and confidentiality.

Technologies: [IBM I](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/i). Vendors: [IBM](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/ibm).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-102917 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-102917 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-102917?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 7.8, published 16 October 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** IBM I 7.3, 7.4, 7.5, 7.6.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-102917?** Yes: fixed in IBM i 7.3 (PTF SJ11841), 7.4 (PTF SJ11833), 7.5 (PTF SJ11775), 7.6 (PTF SJ11832). Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-102917 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in an operating system.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-102917?** Check whether you run IBM I at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## How to fix

- Fixed in IBM i 7.3 (PTF SJ11841), 7.4 (PTF SJ11833), 7.5 (PTF SJ11775), 7.6 (PTF SJ11832)

## Technical details

The vulnerability is an improper privilege management issue (CWE-269) that allows an authenticated local attacker to elevate privileges to QSECOFR/Root authority on IBM i systems. Attack requires valid user credentials and local access; no user interaction beyond authentication is needed. An attacker gains complete system control, including the ability to read, modify, or delete any data on the system.

## Affected products

- IBM i 7.3, 7.4, 7.5, 7.6

## Timeline

- 2026-10-14: disclosed
- 2026-10-14: advisory

## References

- [https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/7292422](https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/7292422)

## Related threats

- [IBM i Navigator authentication bypass via improper access control](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-93744-ibm-i-7-3-7-4-7-5-and-7-6-could-allow-an-unathenticated-remote)
- [IBM i ChrootDirectory security restriction bypass in OpenSSH](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-17491-ibm-i-7-3-7-4-7-5-and-7-6-is-could-allow-a-remote-authenticated)
- [IBM i improper authentication bypass in SST/DST](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-17488-ibm-i-7-3-7-4-7-5-and-7-6-could-allow-a-remote-authenticated)
- [IBM i file handle access control vulnerability in NFS](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-17073-ibm-i-7-3-7-4-7-5-and-7-6-could-allow-a-local-attacker-to-obtain)
- [IBM i NFS version restriction bypass](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-17068-ibm-i-7-3-7-4-7-5-and-7-6-could-allow-a-local-attacker-to-bypass)