# CVE-2026-17488: IBM i improper authentication bypass in SST/DST

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-17488-ibm-i-7-3-7-4-7-5-and-7-6-could-allow-a-remote-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-2026-17488 · Severity: medium · CVSS 4.3 · Published 2026-10-16

IBM i is an enterprise operating system that manages critical business workloads and data. An authenticated attacker can bypass security restrictions through improper authentication in System Service Tools (SST) and Dedicated Service Tools (DST), potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive system functions and data.

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

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-17488 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-17488 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-17488?** Medium severity, with a CVSS score of 4.3, 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-2026-17488?** Yes: fixed in IBM i 7.6 (MJ11751), 7.5 (MJ11749), 7.4 (MJ11750), 7.3 (MJ11748). Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-17488 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in an operating system.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-17488?** 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 7.6 (MJ11751), 7.5 (MJ11749), 7.4 (MJ11750), 7.3 (MJ11748)

## Technical details

An improper authentication vulnerability (CWE-287) in IBM i's System Service Tools / Dedicated Service Tools allows a remote authenticated attacker to bypass security restrictions. The vulnerability requires network access and existing authentication credentials, resulting in limited confidentiality impact. Fixes are available via PTFs for all affected versions.

## Affected products

- IBM i 7.3, 7.4, 7.5, 7.6

## Timeline

- 2026-10-16: disclosed
- 2026-10-13: advisory

## References

- [https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/7292270](https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/7292270)

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