IBM Guardium Data Protection: Path traversal in Sniffer component
Summary
IBM Guardium Data Protection versions 12.0, 12.1 and 12.2 contain a path traversal flaw (CWE-22) in the Sniffer component. A remote attacker can exploit it without authentication or user interaction to execute arbitrary code, according to the CVSS vector rated 9.8 (critical). Guardium is used to monitor and audit database access, so a compromised collector could also expose or alter sensitive audit data.
Affected
- IBM Guardium Data Protection 12.0
- IBM Guardium Data Protection 12.1
- IBM Guardium Data Protection 12.2
- Component: Sniffer
Fixed in
- IBM recommends applying the latest Guardium Data Protection Sniffer patch on all affected versions. The Fix Central link in the CVE record references fix ID SqlGuard_12.0p4018_SnifferUpdate.
- The fixed build for each individual version (12.0, 12.1, 12.2) is Unknown; confirm it on IBM bulletin 7291674.
Workaround
- None documented by IBM (Workarounds and Mitigations: None).
Exploitation
- CISA SSVC: Exploitation none, automatable yes, technical impact total.
- No evidence of active exploitation or a public proof of concept found at the time of research.
Our recommendation
- Identify all Guardium collectors and Sniffer installations running 12.0, 12.1 or 12.2.
- Apply the latest Sniffer patch from IBM Fix Central and verify the installed patch level on every system.
- Restrict network access to the Sniffer until patched and block unnecessary inbound traffic.
- Monitor for unusual activity on Guardium systems and check audit-record integrity.
- Check the CISA KEV catalog for updates.
Public exploits
PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit and Exploit-DB list nothing for this CVE.
Research sources
- IBM Security Bulletin 7291674 www.ibm.com
- Rapid7 via Vulners: CVE-2026-75875 vulners.com
- VulDB: CVE-2026-75875 vuldb.com
- Strix: CVE-2026-75875 www.strix.ai
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, 20:15.
Original description (NVD)
IBM Guardium Data Protection 12.0, 12.1, and 12.2 could allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code due to path traversal.
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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