---
id: "CVE-2026-123218"
page: "https://infrastack.ai/live/CVE-2026-123218"
kind: "vulnerability"
aliases: ["CVE-2026-123218"]
title: "IBM Aspera Faspex: crafted message lets a user gain full admin rights"
severity: "critical"
cvss: 9.8
epss: null
exploited: false
status: "open"
category: "infrastructure"
products: [{"name": "IBM Aspera Faspex", "fixed": ["5.0.19 PL1"], "affected": ">= 5.0.0, <= 5.0.19", "ecosystem": "vendor"}]
ecosystems: []
tags: ["aspera-faspex", "ibm-aspera", "infrastructure", "self-hosted"]
not_affected_if: ["versions-outside-5.0.0-5.0.19"]
published_at: "2026-11-07T04:17:28+00:00"
first_seen_at: "2026-11-07T04:45:47+00:00"
updated_at: "2026-11-07T04:48:56+00:00"
sources: [{"source": "nvd", "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-123218", "first_seen_at": "2026-11-07T04:45:47+00:00"}, {"source": "analyst", "url": "https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/security-bulletin-ibm-aspera-faspex-has-addressed-vulnerability-could-allow-authorization-bypass", "first_seen_at": "2026-11-07T04:48:56+00:00", "cites": ["https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/security-bulletin-ibm-aspera-faspex-has-addressed-vulnerability-could-allow-authorization-bypass"]}]
exploit_sources: []
---

# IBM Aspera Faspex: crafted message lets a user gain full admin rights

Link for people: https://infrastack.ai/live/CVE-2026-123218 (this .md is for agents)

IBM Aspera Faspex versions 5.0.0 through 5.0.19 let an authorized user craft a specific message that bypasses user authorization. The attacker can gain full administrative privileges.

_Summary, check and fix written by a model from the sources; labelled as such._

## Affected

- vendor:IBM Aspera Faspex affected >= 5.0.0, <= 5.0.19 fixed 5.0.19 PL1

## How to check

Check the installed Faspex version (5.0.0 through 5.0.19 is affected). After upgrading, confirm the faspex-core container image is 5.0.19 (1ce4b13, Fix Pack: 1). IBM lists no workaround, so an unpatched 5.0.19 is still exposed.

## Fix

Upgrade to IBM Aspera Faspex 5.0.19 PL1 (Fix Pack 1, Linux). Follow IBM's instructions in the bulletin and confirm the faspex-core container image is 5.0.19 (1ce4b13, Fix Pack: 1).

## Timeline

- 2026-11-07T04:45:47+00:00 nvd https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-123218
- 2026-11-07T04:48:56+00:00 analyst https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/security-bulletin-ibm-aspera-faspex-has-addressed-vulnerability-could-allow-authorization-bypass — Read IBM bulletin (published 2026-11-07): affected 5.0.0-5.0.19, fix 5.0.19 PL1 (Fix Pack 1), no workarounds. No exploitation or PoC info in the bulletin; did not search social.

## Documents

- [advisory] IBM Security Bulletin: Aspera Faspex authorization bypass (CVE-2026-123218) https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/security-bulletin-ibm-aspera-faspex-has-addressed-vulnerability-could-allow-authorization-bypass

## From the sources

IBM Aspera Faspex 5.0.0 through 5.0.19 could allow an authorized user to craft a specific message to bypass user authorization and gain full administrative privileges.

---

_Free to read, with fair use of about 60 pages a minute. For higher limits or API access: sales@infrastack.ai_