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CVE-2026-3144 – Authentication Bypass via Default Credentials – IBM API Connect 12.1.0.0 through …

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Summary

CVE-2026-3144 is a high-severity authentication bypass vulnerability in IBM API Connect versions 12.1.0.0 through 12.1.0.3, caused by the use of default credentials (CWE-1392) that the application does not enforce changing until after initial access has already been granted. An unauthenticated remote attacker can exploit this flaw to gain unauthorized access to the platform before the system triggers a mandatory credential update. The vulnerability carries a CVSS v3.1 base score of 8.1 (HIGH).

Technical details

  • Root cause: IBM API Connect ships with pre-set default credentials (CWE-1392: Use of Default Credentials). The system fails to block access using those credentials until it enforces a credential change — meaning a window of unrestricted access with known credentials exists on freshly deployed or unmodified instances.
  • Trigger conditions: The vulnerability is exploitable in any IBM API Connect 12.1.0.x instance where an administrator has not yet completed a mandatory credential change. This includes automated deployments or provisioned environments where default credentials may have never been rotated.
  • Attack vector: Network-accessible (AV:N). The IBM API Connect management interface and developer portal are internet-facing by design, making this vulnerability reachable without any prior foothold. Attack Complexity is rated High (AC:H), reflecting that specific conditions — primarily the presence of unrotated default credentials — must be met.
  • Impact: Successful exploitation grants full unauthorized access to the IBM API Connect application, with confirmed High impact across Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability (C:H/I:H/A:H). An attacker can read, modify, or disrupt managed API configurations, credentials, consumer organizations, and connected backend services.

Affected software

  • IBM API Connect 12.1.0.0
  • IBM API Connect 12.1.0.1
  • IBM API Connect 12.1.0.2
  • IBM API Connect 12.1.0.3

Severity

CVSS v3.1 Base Score: 8.1 (HIGH)
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Mitigation and recommended actions

  • Immediate patch: Upgrade to IBM API Connect 12.1.1.0 or later, as referenced in the IBM Security Advisory (node/7278909), which addresses this vulnerability.
  • Credential rotation (urgent interim step): If immediate upgrade is not feasible, manually rotate all default credentials in the IBM API Connect management interface as soon as possible to close the exploitation window.
  • Network restriction: Restrict external network access to the IBM API Connect management and administration interfaces using firewall rules or network segmentation, limiting exposure only to trusted IP ranges.

IONIX Status

The IONIX research team is tracking ongoing exploitation attempts and recommends immediate patching. Potentially affected assets are outlined in this post.

References

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