Security Verify Access: Protection Mechanism Failure
CVE-2026-16916 is a high-severity protection mechanism failure vulnerability in Security Verify Access from IBM, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. Affected Security Verify Access versions: 10.0 through 10.0.9.2. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.59% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Check which version of Security Verify Access you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- Read the advisory on ibm.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| IBM | Security Verify Access | 10.0 through 10.0.9.2 | Not stated |
| IBM | Verify Identity Access | 11.0 through 11.0.3 | Not stated |
| IBM | Security Verify Access Container | 10.0 through 10.0.9.2 | Not stated |
| IBM | Verify Identity Access Container | 11.0 through 11.0.3 | Not stated |
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
- LowA basic user account is enough.
- 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
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 9.1 | Critical | CNA (us.ibm.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 8.8 | High | NVD |
Official description
IBM Security Verify Access 10.0 through 10.0.9.2 and IBM Verify Identity Access 11.0 through 11.0.3 could allow a remote authenticated attacker to execute arbitrary code due to a protection mechanism failure.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Protection Mechanism Failure
The product does not use or incorrectly uses a protection mechanism that provides sufficient defense against directed attacks against the product.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Advisories
Other vulnerabilities in Security Verify Access
- 8.8 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
Recent Protection Mechanism Failure vulnerabilities
- 7.6 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 9.6 Critical severity
- 9.6 Critical severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 9.6 Critical severity
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