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Advisory · CVE-2026-17466

IBM Optim path traversal can expose sensitive information

IBM Optim 1.0.0, 1.1.0, and 1.2.0 could allow a remote authenticated attacker to obtain sensitive information due to path traversal, rated critical at CVSS 9.1.

Vendor
IBM
Product
Optim
Identifier / CWE
CVE-2026-17466
CWE-22
Action timing
Immediate
ELI5

Explain it like I’m five

IBM Optim manages data, and it is supposed to keep file access inside its own folders. A path traversal flaw lets a logged-in attacker climb out of those folders and read sensitive files.

SIMPLIFIED_ATTACK_PATH03 STEPS
  1. 01Authenticated access

    A remote authenticated attacker reaches Optim.

  2. 02Traversal crafted

    A path is supplied that escapes the intended directory.

  3. 03Sensitive data read

    Files outside the allowed path are returned.

What happened

IBM Optim 1.0.0, 1.1.0, and 1.2.0 could allow a remote authenticated attacker to obtain sensitive information due to path traversal. The record rates it critical at CVSS 9.1 under version 3.1, with network attack vector, low complexity, low privileges required, and no user interaction.

IBM’s bulletin lists the affected versions and the fix. Optim holds test data management workloads, so the files in reach may include production-like data.

What to do

  1. Inventory Optim deployments and record each version.
  2. Check the IBM bulletin for the fix and apply it.
  3. Review access logs for traversal patterns.
  4. Determine which files were reachable from the Optim service.
  5. Verify the deployed version after updating.

Management note

Path traversal on a data management product is a data exposure question. Find out what was readable before moving on.