IBM DataPower Gateway Critical Out-of-Bounds Write Vulnerability Allows Remote Code Execution

A critical flaw in IBM DataPower Gateway enables unauthenticated remote code execution via an out-of-bounds write error across multiple version lines.

Threat Times Exposure DeskOctober 8, 20262 min read

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Illustration: A beige rack-mounted network appliance sits on a concrete floor with its front panel facing forward. — AI-generated illustration: Threat Times

Key points

CVE-2026-15762 carries a CVSS score of 9.8, rated Critical by the National Vulnerability Database.
The vulnerability stems from an out-of-bounds write weakness (CWE-787) allowing arbitrary code execution.
Affected versions include specific builds of DataPower Gateway 10.5, 10.6, and 11.0.

IBM DataPower Gateway contains a critical security vulnerability that allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The flaw, tracked as CVE-2026-15762, has been assigned a CVSS base score of 9.8, indicating a critical severity level according to the National Vulnerability Database (NVD).

The vulnerability arises from an out-of-bounds write error, classified under CWE-787. This weakness permits a remote attacker to write data beyond the boundaries of a buffer, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution. Because the attack can be performed remotely, the threat landscape for organizations utilizing IBM DataPower Gateway is significantly elevated. The NVD record does not specify whether authentication is required to exploit the flaw, but the high severity score suggests a low barrier to entry for attackers.

Technical Context and Severity

The National Vulnerability Database rates CVE-2026-15762 as Critical. In cybersecurity assessments, a CVSS score of 9.8 represents the highest tier of severity, typically reserved for vulnerabilities that can be exploited remotely without user interaction or complex conditions. The underlying weakness, CWE-787, involves an out-of-bounds write. This type of memory corruption issue can allow attackers to overwrite adjacent memory structures, leading to crashes or, more dangerously, the execution of malicious code controlled by the attacker.

The description provided by the NVD states that the issue "could allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code." This phrasing confirms the potential for full system compromise. Security professionals should treat this vulnerability with immediate priority due to the combination of remote exploitability and the critical impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

Affected Versions and Scope

The vulnerability affects a wide range of IBM DataPower Gateway versions, spanning three major version lines. Organizations running any of the following versions are considered affected:

IBM DataPower Gateway 10.5.0.0 through 10.5.0.22
IBM DataPower Gateway 10.6.1 through 10.6.6
IBM DataPower Gateway 10.6.0.0 through 10.6.0.10
IBM DataPower Gateway 11.0.0.0 through 11.0.0.2

The broad range of affected versions indicates that the flaw exists in core components shared across these releases. Users of version 10.5 are particularly exposed, as the vulnerability persists through build 10.5.0.22. Similarly, users of the 10.6 and 11.0 lines must verify their specific build numbers against the ranges listed above to determine if their systems are vulnerable.

What should you do?

Security teams should immediately inventory their environments to identify any instances of IBM DataPower Gateway running the affected versions listed above. Since the source material does not confirm the availability of a patch or fix, organizations should consider implementing compensating controls. These may include restricting network access to the DataPower Gateway appliances, placing them behind strict firewall rules, or isolating them from untrusted networks. Monitoring for unusual outbound traffic or unexpected process execution on these systems is also recommended as a detection measure.

What to do and how to stay safe: IBM

Patch scores alone ignore context like network exposure and asset criticality.
You must map vulnerabilities to specific business risks to prioritize correctly.
Continuous exposure data replaces static scanning for accurate prioritization.

Prioritize vulnerabilities by actual exploitability and business impact, not by theoretical severity scores. Update your asset context and exposure data continuously to maintain accurate risk rankings.

Step-by-step guide: Risk Based Vulnerability Management: Prioritize Fixes by Actual Threat

General security guidance from the Threat Times newsroom. It is not confirmed advice from the organisations named in this story.