---
id: "CVE-2026-17491"
kind: "vulnerability"
aliases: ["CVE-2026-17491"]
title: "IBM i: authenticated users can bypass ChrootDirectory restrictions remotely"
severity: "medium"
cvss: 5.4
epss: null
exploited: false
status: "open"
category: "infrastructure"
products: [{"name": "ibm i", "fixed": [], "affected": "= 7.3", "ecosystem": "vendor"}, {"name": "ibm i", "fixed": [], "affected": "= 7.4", "ecosystem": "vendor"}, {"name": "ibm i", "fixed": [], "affected": "= 7.5", "ecosystem": "vendor"}, {"name": "ibm i", "fixed": [], "affected": "= 7.6", "ecosystem": "vendor"}]
ecosystems: ["vendor"]
tags: ["ibm-i", "infrastructure", "on-prem", "sftp", "ssh"]
not_affected_if: ["no-chrootdirectory-config", "no-remote-accounts"]
published_at: "2026-10-16T19:17:06+00:00"
first_seen_at: "2026-10-23T21:57:14+00:00"
updated_at: "2026-10-25T04:18:14+00:00"
sources: [{"source": "nvd", "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-17491", "first_seen_at": "2026-10-23T21:57:14+00:00"}]
---

# IBM i: authenticated users can bypass ChrootDirectory restrictions remotely

IBM i 7.3 through 7.6 does not properly enforce the ChrootDirectory configuration directive. A remote user who already has valid credentials can get around the directory confinement that the directive is meant to impose.

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

## Affected

- vendor:ibm i affected = 7.3 fixed ?
- vendor:ibm i affected = 7.4 fixed ?
- vendor:ibm i affected = 7.5 fixed ?
- vendor:ibm i affected = 7.6 fixed ?

## How to check

- Confirm the IBM i release with `WRKPTFGRP` or `GO LICPGM` (unknown exact command in sources)
- Check whether ChrootDirectory is configured for SSH or SFTP users (unknown exact file or setting in sources)

## Fix

- Apply the IBM fix for IBM i 7.3, 7.4, 7.5 and 7.6 (fixed versions unknown in sources; check the IBM security bulletin)

## Timeline

- 2026-10-23T21:57:14+00:00 nvd https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-17491

## From the sources

IBM i 7.3, 7.4, 7.5, and 7.6 is could allow a remote authenticated attacker to bypass security restrictions due to improper enforcement of the ChrootDirectory configuration directive.

---

_Free to read at a human pace. An API with keys and an MCP server are in preparation; early access: hello@infrastack.ai_