CVE-2026-14981: IBM WebSphere Application Server and IBM WebSphere Application Server - Liberty are affected by a denial of se

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HIGH 7.5REMOTEUPGRADE

CVE-2026-14981 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) affecting websphere application server. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

IBM WebSphere Application Server and IBM WebSphere Application Server - Liberty are affected by a denial of service vulnerability in the HTTP channel due to unbounded allocation of resources without limits.

Why this priority

High severity
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.5 (High)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.5% (top 60%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-400
Published	2026-07-28
Last modified	2026-09-23

Publisher (CNA): IBM Corporation · Vendor: ibm

Last updated 2026-09-23 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2026-07-28 21:17 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-09-23 21:16 UTCUpdated Record last modified

ibm websphere application server UPGRADE

Affected: >= 8.5.0.0 and < 8.5.5.31 · >= 9.0.0.0 and < 9.0.5.29 · >= 17.0.0.3 and < 26.0.0.8

Fixed in: 8.5.5.31, 9.0.5.29, 26.0.0.8

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 8.5.0.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy websphere-application-server || rpm -q websphere-application-server || websphere-application-server --version

2. UPGRADE to 8.5.5.31 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade websphere-application-server

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade websphere-application-server

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE to a release before 8.5.0.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison websphere-application-server sudo apt install websphere-application-server=<VERSION_BEFORE_8.5.0.0> sudo apt-mark hold websphere-application-server

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list websphere-application-server sudo dnf downgrade websphere-application-server-<VERSION_BEFORE_8.5.0.0> sudo dnf versionlock add websphere-application-server

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2026-14981?

websphere application server: upgrade to 8.5.5.31, 9.0.5.29, 26.0.0.8. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2026-14981 being exploited?

CVE-2026-14981 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2026-14981 affect?

CVE-2026-14981 affects websphere application server. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). IBM WebSphere Application Server and IBM WebSphere Application Server - Liberty are affected by a denial of service vulnerability in the HTTP channel due to unbounded allocation of resources without limits.

How urgent is CVE-2026-14981?

Priority 41/100. High severity; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

Software pages

IBM WebSphere vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2026-3621 HIGH 7.5 UPGRADE IBM WebSphere Application Server - Liberty 17.0.0.3 through 26.0.0.4 IBM WebSphere Application Server Liberty
CVE-2026-5516 MEDIUM 4.4 UPGRADE IBM WebSphere Application Server - Liberty 22.0.0.11 through 26.0.0.5 IBM WebSphere Application Server Liberty
CVE-2026-10845 HIGH 7.3 UPGRADE IBM WebSphere Application Server 8.5 and 9.0 could allow a remote attacker to bypass authentication and gain u
CVE-2026-9006 HIGH 7.4 UPGRADE IBM WebSphere Application Server 9.0, and 8.5 is vulnerable to server-side request forgery (SSRF) with the Aja
CVE-2026-11708 CRITICAL 9.3 UPGRADE IBM WebSphere Application Server 9.0, and 8.5 is affected by a cross-site scripting vulnerability in the admin

References

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