CVE-2026-17094 is a medium severity (CVSS 4.3) path traversal flaw in IBM i 7.3, 7.4, 7.5 and 7.6. A remote authenticated attacker could obtain sensitive information and manipulate files. IBM provides a PTF for each release under 5770-SS1 Option 3, and the bulletin lists the numbers.
What's affected
IBM i 7.6, 7.5, 7.4 and 7.3, per IBM's bulletin and the NVD record. IBM lists these PTFs for 5770-SS1 Option 3:
- IBM i 7.6: SJ10887
- IBM i 7.5: SJ10888
- IBM i 7.4: SJ10890
- IBM i 7.3: SJ10891
IBM says to address the issue now and recommends that users of unsupported IBM i releases move to a supported, fixed version.
How to check if you're exposed
IBM i 7.3 through 7.6 are all in scope, so every supported and recently supported release needs a look. On each partition, confirm the installed release and then check whether the PTF for your release is loaded. From a command line:
DSPPTF LICPGM(5770SS1)
Look for the PTF number listed for your release in the table above, with a status of Applied or Permanently applied. You can also use option 10 of GO LICPGM to confirm the release. Do this on every LPAR, including test and recovery systems, because they are often patched last.
What to do now
- List every IBM i partition and its release, including test and disaster recovery systems.
- Find the PTF for your release in the table above, and order it from IBM Fix Central or through your usual PTF process.
- Apply the PTF and restart as the PTF cover letter requires.
- Check the PTF status with DSPPTF and record it.
- Limit access to IBM i network services to the hosts and users that need them.
Why it matters
CWE-22 is path traversal. A path from a user is not held inside its intended directory, so the request can reach files elsewhere. The vector needs low privileges and rates integrity impact low, with no confidentiality or availability effect in the score, though the description also mentions reading information.
The text and vector differ slightly, and both are quoted. The bulletin is the one that includes CVE-2026-16904 and a critical 9.6 entry, so the PTF carries more weight than this 4.3 alone suggests.
The weakness class here is CWE-22 (Path Traversal). The NVD record scores it 4.3, which is medium severity. IBM's bulletin gives the same score. The CVSS vector reads attack vector over the network, low attack complexity, low privileges required, no user interaction. Scope is unchanged. Impact on confidentiality, integrity and availability is rated none, low and none. The record's KEV flag is false, so this CVE is not in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, and the advisory I fetched does not report exploitation.
Safeguard's Gold directory tracks this CVE, and reachability analysis helps you decide which affected components matter most for your own software.
Quick check
Why does the description mention reading data if the score has no confidentiality impact?
The description says sensitive information can be obtained, while the vector lists only low integrity impact. Both are stated as published, and the PTF resolves either reading.
Sources
- IBM security bulletin
- Safeguard Gold entry for CVE-2026-17094, which summarizes the NVD record
Last reviewed: 18 October 2026.
