CVE-2026-81657: IBM Guardium Data Protection 12.2 could allow a remote unauthenticated attacker to execute arbitrary code on t

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CRITICAL 9.8REMOTEDOWNGRADE

CVE-2026-81657 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) affecting guardium data protection. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

IBM Guardium Data Protection 12.2 could allow a remote unauthenticated attacker to execute arbitrary code on the system due to the deserialization of untrusted data.

Why this priority

Critical severity
CISA SSVC: automatable with total technical impact
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	9.8 (Critical)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.8% (top 42%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-502
Published	2026-09-18
Last modified	2026-10-06

Publisher (CNA): IBM Corporation · Vendor: ibm

Last updated 2026-10-06 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2026-09-18 20:17 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-10-06 14:27 UTCUpdated Record last modified

ibm guardium data protection DOWNGRADE

Affected: 12.2

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 12.2

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy guardium-data-protection || rpm -q guardium-data-protection || guardium-data-protection --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 12.2 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison guardium-data-protection sudo apt install guardium-data-protection=<VERSION_BEFORE_12.2> sudo apt-mark hold guardium-data-protection

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list guardium-data-protection sudo dnf downgrade guardium-data-protection-<VERSION_BEFORE_12.2> sudo dnf versionlock add guardium-data-protection

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.

Exact fixes by distribution

A distro patch exists: prefer upgrading over downgrading.

Fedora 46 · fio · FIXED · 3.43-2.fc46 · FEDORA-2026-b36219886b · source

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-b36219886b

Fedora ELN · weston · FIXED · 16.0.2-1.eln159 · FEDORA-2026-b98ccaa6a0 · source

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-b98ccaa6a0

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-2026-81657?

guardium data protection: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2026-81657 being exploited?

CVE-2026-81657 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-2026-81657 affect?

CVE-2026-81657 affects guardium data protection. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). IBM Guardium Data Protection 12.2 could allow a remote unauthenticated attacker to execute arbitrary code on the system due to the deserialization of untrusted data.

How urgent is CVE-2026-81657?

Priority 57/100. Critical severity; CISA SSVC: automatable with total technical impact; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

Related CVEs

CVE-2026-1274 MEDIUM 4.9 DOWNGRADE IBM Guardium Data Protection 12.0, 12.1, and 12.2 is vulnerable to a Bypass Business Logic vulnerability in th
CVE-2026-4919 MEDIUM 4.8 DOWNGRADE IBM Guardium Data Protection 12.1 is vulnerable to cross-site scripting
CVE-2026-1272 LOW 2.7 DOWNGRADE IBM Guardium Data Protection 12.0, 12.1, and 12.2 is vulnerable to Security Misconfiguration vulnerability in
CVE-2026-8405 MEDIUM 6.5 DOWNGRADE IBM Guardium Data Protection 12.2.1, and 12.2.2 's add-on feature of Guardium Data Protection named "Long Term
CVE-2026-4918 MEDIUM 5.5 DOWNGRADE IBM Guardium Data Protection 12.1 is vulnerable to stored cross-site scripting

References

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