CVE-2026-15325: IBM WebSphere Application Server HTTP request smuggling in TRACE requests

CVE-2026-15325 · Severity: high · CVSS 8.7 · Published 2026-07-28

IBM WebSphere Application Server, a platform used to build and run enterprise applications, is vulnerable to a security flaw that could allow an attacker to interfere with web traffic. By sending specially crafted requests, an attacker could bypass security controls or gain unauthorized access to sensitive data by 'smuggling' hidden commands past security filters. This could lead to the compromise of user sessions or the modification of application data.

Technologies: IBM WebSphere Application Server, IBM WebSphere Application Server Liberty. Vendors: IBM.

Quick answers

Is CVE-2026-15325 exploited in the wild?
No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-15325 being exploited in the wild.
How severe is CVE-2026-15325?
High severity, with a CVSS score of 8.7, published 28 July 2026.
Which products and versions are affected?
IBM WebSphere Application Server 9.0.0.0 - 9.0.5.28, 8.5.0.0 - 8.5.5.30; IBM WebSphere Application Server Liberty 17.0.0.3 - 26.0.0.7.
Is there a fix for CVE-2026-15325?
A patch was published on 2026-07-28. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.
How is CVE-2026-15325 attacked?
It is attacked over the network, in a software library.
Am I affected by CVE-2026-15325?
Check whether you run IBM WebSphere Application Server or IBM WebSphere Application Server Liberty 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

IBM WebSphere Application Server (Traditional and Liberty) is vulnerable to HTTP request smuggling (CWE-444). The vulnerability arises from the improper handling of HTTP TRACE requests when specific servlet features (3.0 through 6.1) are enabled. A remote, unauthenticated attacker can exploit this by sending specially crafted HTTP requests to the server, potentially leading to the bypass of security constraints, cache poisoning, or session hijacking. The attack requires high complexity, likely due to the need for specific timing or front-end proxy configurations to successfully 'smuggle' the request. Remediation is available via interim fixes PH72191 and PH72192, or by upgrading to fix packs 26.0.0.8, 9.0.5.29, or 8.5.5.31.

Affected products

  • IBM WebSphere Application Server 9.0.0.0 - 9.0.5.28, 8.5.0.0 - 8.5.5.30
  • IBM WebSphere Application Server - Liberty 17.0.0.3 - 26.0.0.7

Timeline

  • 2026-07-28: disclosed
  • 2026-07-28: advisory
  • 2026-07-28: patched

References

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