IBM DataPower Gateway: Out-of-bounds write (buffer overflow) allows code execution
Summary
IBM DataPower Gateway contains an out-of-bounds write caused by improper bounds checking, which can lead to a buffer overflow. According to the IBM CVE description, a local user could exploit it to execute arbitrary code on the appliance. The CVSS vector (AV:N, PR:N) instead describes a network attack without authentication, so the exposure must be treated as possibly remote until IBM clarifies this conflict.
Affected
- IBM DataPower Gateway 10.5.0.0 through 10.5.0.22
- IBM DataPower Gateway 10.6.1 through 10.6.6 (10.6CD)
- IBM DataPower Gateway 10.6.0.0 through 10.6.0.10
- IBM DataPower Gateway 11.0.0.0 through 11.0.0.2
Fixed in
- 10.5.0.23 for the 10.5.0 branch
- 10.6.0.11 for the 10.6.0 branch
- 11.0.0.3 for the 11.0.0 branch and for 10.6CD
- Verify the correct build in the IBM advisory before rollout, as IBM's fix-pack page also lists an 11.0.0.3R build.
Workaround
Unknown. No official workaround was documented in the sources reviewed.
Exploitation
- Not known to be exploited in the wild according to the sources reviewed.
- CISA SSVC assessment: exploitation none, not automatable, total technical impact.
- EPSS score reported as very low (0.00409).
- Not found in the CISA KEV catalogue in the sources checked.
Our recommendation
- Identify all DataPower instances and their versions, including container images.
- Check whether any management or API interface is reachable from the internet and restrict access to trusted networks.
- Limit local and administrative accounts on the appliance to the minimum required.
- Plan the upgrade to the fixed releases, confirming the correct build with IBM first.
- Review logs for unexpected service restarts or new processes.
- Recheck the IBM bulletin and CISA KEV for changes.
Public exploits
PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit and Exploit-DB list nothing for this CVE.
Research sources
- IBM Security Bulletin: IBM DataPower Gateway affected by multiple CVEs www.ibm.com
- IBM Fix Packs for DataPower Gateway 11.0.0.x www.ibm.com
- CVE-2026-14991 record (threatint mirror) cve.threatint.com
- VulDB entry CVE-2026-14991 vuldb.com
- Rapid7 via Vulners: CVE-2026-14991 vulners.com
- SecurityOnline: IBM DataPower Gateway vulnerabilities securityonline.info
- TheHackerWire: CVE-2026-14991 local buffer overflow www.thehackerwire.com
Researched and written up in English and German by an AI (Claude by Anthropic) based on NVD, CISA, EPSS and the sources listed. The vendor information is authoritative. Researched on 30 Oct 2026, 20:31.
Original description (NVD)
IBM DataPower Gateway 10.5.0.0 through 10.5.0.22, 10.6.1 through 10.6.6, 10.6.0.0 through 10.6.0.10, and 11.0.0.0 through 11.0.0.2 is vulnerable to a buffer overflow, caused by improper bounds checking. A local user could overflow the buffer and execute arbitrary code on the system.
NVD references (1)
Sources
The tracker combines official, freely usable data sources – updated continuously:
- NVD (NIST) – CVEs, rating (CVSS), affected products
- CISA KEV – vulnerabilities confirmed by CISA as actively exploited
- CISA Vulnrichment – CISA assessment (SSVC) in the official CVE record
- FIRST EPSS – probability of exploitation
- Microsoft MSRC – Patch Tuesday: vulnerabilities, severity, updates
- PoC-in-GitHub – public proof-of-concept repositories
- Metasploit (Rapid7) – modules of the Metasploit Framework
- Exploit-DB (OffSec) – archive of public exploits (links only)
- Patch days: official vendor pages (linked per vendor) (Vendor patch days)
This product uses data from the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. EPSS data © FIRST.org.
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