# CVE-2026-14512: IBM WebSphere Application Server unsafe deserialization

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-14512-ibm-websphere-application-server-unsafe-deserialization  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-07-28. Updated: 2026-07-28  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-14512 · Severity: critical · CVSS 9.8 · Published 2026-07-28

IBM WebSphere Application Server, a platform used to host and run enterprise Java applications, is affected by a critical security flaw. An unauthenticated attacker can exploit this vulnerability over the network to bypass security controls or take full control of the server. This could lead to the theft of sensitive data, disruption of business operations, or unauthorized access to internal corporate systems.

Technologies: [IBM WebSphere Application Server](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/websphere-application-server). Vendors: [IBM](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/ibm).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-14512 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-14512 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-14512?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 9.8, published 28 July 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** IBM WebSphere Application Server 9.0.0.0 through 9.0.5.28, 8.5.0.0 through 8.5.5.30.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-14512?** A patch was published on 2026-07-28: Interim fix PH72166 released Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-14512 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a network appliance.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-14512?** Check whether you run IBM WebSphere Application Server 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.

## Technical details

A critical unsafe deserialization vulnerability (CWE-502) exists in IBM WebSphere Application Server traditional versions 8.5 and 9.0. The flaw allows for the processing of untrusted data before authentication has occurred. A remote, unauthenticated attacker can exploit this by sending specially crafted serialized objects over the network. Successful exploitation can lead to a complete authentication bypass or remote code execution (RCE) with the privileges of the application server process. IBM has released interim fix PH72166 and plans to include the fix in upcoming Fix Packs 9.0.5.29 and 8.5.5.31.

## Affected products

- IBM WebSphere Application Server 9.0.0.0 through 9.0.5.28, 8.5.0.0 through 8.5.5.30

## Timeline

- 2026-07-28: disclosed
- 2026-07-28: advisory
- 2026-07-28: patched: Interim fix PH72166 released

## References

- [https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/7281649](https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/7281649)

## Related threats

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- [IBM WebSphere Application Server denial of service via resource consumption](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-103499-ibm-websphere-application-server-liberty-17-0-0-3-through-26-0-0)