# CVE-2026-16187: IBM WebSphere Application Server authentication bypass in admin console

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-16187-ibm-websphere-application-server-authentication-bypass-in-admin  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-09-14. Updated: 2026-09-26  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-16187 · Severity: medium · CVSS 6.5 · Published 2026-09-14

IBM WebSphere Application Server is a Java-based application server used to host enterprise web applications. CVE-2026-16187 allows a remote attacker to bypass authentication and access sensitive information by sending a specially crafted unauthenticated request, potentially compromising administrative access and exposing confidential business data.

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-2026-16187 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-16187 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-16187?** Medium severity, with a CVSS score of 6.5, published 14 September 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** IBM WebSphere Application Server 8.5 prior to 8.5.5.31, 9.0 prior to 9.0.5.29.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-16187?** No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.

**How is CVE-2026-16187 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a web application.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-16187?** 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

This vulnerability is an authentication bypass affecting the admin console servlet in IBM WebSphere Application Server versions 8.5 and 9.0 (fixed in 8.5.5.31 and 9.0.5.29). The vulnerability allows a remote attacker to craft a request that bypasses authentication controls without requiring valid credentials. Attack vectors are network-based and no prior authentication or user interaction is required. A successful exploit grants unauthorized access to sensitive information and administrative functions, potentially leading to full system compromise.

## Affected products

- IBM WebSphere Application Server 8.5 prior to 8.5.5.31, 9.0 prior to 9.0.5.29

## Timeline

- 2026-09-14: disclosed

## References

- [https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/7286610](https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/7286610)

## Related threats

- [IBM WebSphere Application Server insecure deserialization in messaging](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-105442-ibm-websphere-application-server-8-5-and-9-0-and-ibm-websphere)
- [IBM WebSphere Application Server cryptographic signature verification bypass](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-101294-ibm-websphere-application-server-liberty-17-0-0-3-through-26-0-0)
- [IBM WebSphere Application Server authorization bypass in authentication](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-95680-ibm-websphere-application-server-8-5-and-9-0-could-allow-an)
- [IBM WebSphere Application Server authentication bypass in CSIv2](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-93907-ibm-websphere-application-server-8-5-and-9-0-could-allow-a-remote)
- [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)