# CVE-2026-81548: IBM DataStage on Cloud Pak for Data OS command injection

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-81548-ibm-datastage-on-cloud-pak-for-data-5-4-0-0-could-allow-a-remote  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-09-24. Updated: 2026-09-26  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-81548 · Severity: high · CVSS 8.8 · Published 2026-09-24

IBM DataStage on Cloud Pak for Data is a data integration and transformation tool used for enterprise data pipelines. An authenticated attacker can inject arbitrary operating system commands through improper input validation, potentially gaining complete control over the system to steal data, modify configurations, or disrupt operations.

Technologies: [IBM Datastage On Cloud Pak For Data](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/datastage-on-cloud-pak-for-data). Vendors: [IBM](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/ibm).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-81548 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-81548 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-81548?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 8.8, published 24 September 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** IBM Datastage On Cloud Pak For Data 5.4.0.0.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-81548?** 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-2026-81548 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a hosted service.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-81548?** Check whether you run IBM Datastage On Cloud Pak For Data 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

OS command injection vulnerability in DataStage on Cloud Pak for Data due to improper neutralization of special characters in user-supplied input passed to system commands. An authenticated network attacker can exploit this with low complexity to achieve confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact. A fix is expected from IBM.

## Affected products

- IBM DataStage on Cloud Pak for Data 5.4.0.0

## Timeline

- 2026-09-24: disclosed

## References

- [https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/7288649](https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/7288649)

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- [IBM DataStage path traversal arbitrary file write](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-16433-ibm-datastage-on-cloud-pak-for-data-5-4-0-0-could-allow-a-remote)
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- [IBM DataStage on Cloud Pak for Data SSRF](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-107330-ibm-datastage-on-cloud-pak-for-data-5-4-0-0-could-allow-a-remote)