Storage Protect Client: Use of Hard-coded Credentials
CVE-2026-12628 is a critical-severity use of hard-coded credentials vulnerability in Storage Protect Client from IBM, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.1 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected Storage Protect Client versions: 8.1.0.0 through 8.2.1.0. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.63% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 51% of scored CVEs.
Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.
What to do
- Update Storage Protect to 8.2.1.1 or a later version.
- Read the advisory on ibm.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| IBM | Storage Protect Client | 8.1.0.0 through 8.2.1.0 | Not stated |
| IBM | Storage Protect Snapshot For Windows | 8.1.0.0 through 8.2.1.0 | Not stated |
| IBM | Storage Protect | 8.1.0.0 up to, but not including, 8.2.1.1 | 8.2.1.1 |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- NoneAvailability is not affected.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N. Scored by CNA (us.ibm.com).
Official description
IBM Storage Protect Client 8.1.0.0 through 8.2.1.0 and IBM Storage Protect Snapshot For Windows 8.1.0.0 through 8.2.1.0 could allow a remote attacker to bypass authentication due to the use of a hardcoded credential in the FlashCopy Manager (FCM) authentication mechanism. The application contains a static credential embedded in multiple authentication code paths, and does not properly validate authentication responses, which may allow an unauthenticated attacker to establish a trusted session and access protected services. This vulnerability affects client components across multiple versions and may allow an attacker to impersonate legitimate clients, potentially leading to unauthorized access to system resources.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Use of Hard-coded Credentials
The product contains hard-coded credentials, such as a password or cryptographic key.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- For outbound authentication: store passwords, keys, and other credentials outside of the code in a strongly-protected, encrypted configuration file or database that is protected from access by all outsiders, including other local users on the same system. Properly protect the key (CWE-320). If you cannot use encryption to protect the file, then make sure that the permissions are as restrictive as possible. In Windows environments, the Encrypted File System (EFS) may provide some protection.
- For inbound authentication: Rather than hard-code a default username and password, key, or other authentication credentials for first time logins, utilize a first login mode that requires the user to enter a unique strong password or key.
- If the product must contain hard-coded credentials or they cannot be removed, perform access control checks and limit which entities can access the feature that requires the hard-coded credentials. For example, a feature might only be enabled through the system console instead of through a network connection.
More Use of Hard-coded Credentials vulnerabilities (CWE-798)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: yes, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Advisories
Other vulnerabilities in Storage Protect Client
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 7.8 High severity
Recent Use of Hard-coded Credentials vulnerabilities
- 9.4 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.3 Critical severity
- 7.2 High severity
- 8.6 High severity
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