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Security Bulletin: Due to the use of mchange-commons-java, IBM webMethods BPM is vulnerable to malicious code execution (CVE-2026-27727).

Security Bulletin


Summary

IBM webMethods BPM includes the standalone utility which includes the vulnerable component mchange-commons-java. The tool operates as a standalone utility and is not part of the main runtime environments.

Vulnerability Details

CVEID:   CVE-2026-27727
DESCRIPTION:   mchange-commons-java, a library that provides Java utilities, includes code that mirrors early implementations of JNDI functionality, including support for remote `factoryClassLocation` values, by which code can be downloaded and invoked within a running application. If an attacker can provoke an application to read a maliciously crafted `jaxax.naming.Reference` or serialized object, they can provoke the download and execution of malicious code. Implementations of this functionality within the JDK were disabled by default behind a System property that defaults to `false`, `com.sun.jndi.ldap.object.trustURLCodebase`. However, since mchange-commons-java includes an independent implementation of JNDI derefencing, libraries (such as c3p0) that resolve references via that implementation could be provoked to download and execute malicious code even after the JDK was hardened. Mirroring the JDK patch, mchange-commons-java's JNDI functionality is gated by configuration parameters that default to restrictive values starting in version 0.4.0. No known workarounds are available. Versions prior to 0.4.0 should be avoided on application CLASSPATHs.
CWE:   CWE-74: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component ('Injection')
CVSS Source:   NVD
CVSS Base score:   9.8
CVSS Vector:   (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H)

Affected Products and Versions

Affected Product(s)Version(s)
IBM webMethods BPM 11.1
IBM webMethods BPM 10.15

Remediation/Fixes

IBM strongly recommends addressing the vulnerability by applying the mentioned fixes or later fixes for the affected versions: 

MWS_11.1_Fix6 or later

Fixes can be downloaded and installed via IBM webMethods Update Manager. Refer to How to download webMethods Software ( https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/7232491 )

Workarounds and Mitigations

Alternatively for 11.1 and for version 10.15, the lib folder under the following path can be deleted: 
<ibm-webm-home>/MWS/tools/task_export_import/lib/*

Get Notified about Future Security Bulletins

References

Off

Acknowledgement

Change History

26 May 2026: Initial Publication

*The CVSS Environment Score is customer environment specific and will ultimately impact the Overall CVSS Score. Customers can evaluate the impact of this vulnerability in their environments by accessing the links in the Reference section of this Security Bulletin.

Disclaimer

According to the Forum of Incident Response and Security Teams (FIRST), the Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) is an "industry open standard designed to convey vulnerability severity and help to determine urgency and priority of response." IBM PROVIDES THE CVSS SCORES ""AS IS"" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, INCLUDING THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. CUSTOMERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF ANY ACTUAL OR POTENTIAL SECURITY VULNERABILITY. In addition to other efforts to address potential vulnerabilities, IBM periodically updates the record of components contained in our product offerings. As part of that effort, if IBM identifies previously unidentified packages in a product/service inventory, we address relevant vulnerabilities regardless of CVE date. Inclusion of an older CVEID does not demonstrate that the referenced product has been used by IBM since that date, nor that IBM was aware of a vulnerability as of that date. We are making clients aware of relevant vulnerabilities as we become aware of them. "Affected Products and Versions" referenced in IBM Security Bulletins are intended to be only products and versions that are supported by IBM and have not passed their end-of-support or warranty date. Thus, failure to reference unsupported or extended-support products and versions in this Security Bulletin does not constitute a determination by IBM that they are unaffected by the vulnerability. Reference to one or more unsupported versions in this Security Bulletin shall not create an obligation for IBM to provide fixes for any unsupported or extended-support products or versions.

Document Location

Worldwide

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Document Information

Modified date:
26 May 2026

Initial Publish date:
26 May 2026

UID

ibm17274076