IBM Storage Protect Client 8.1.0.0 through 8.2.1.0 and IBM Storage Protect Snapshot For Windows 8.1.0.0 through 8.2.1.0 could allow a remote attacker to bypass authentication due to the use of a hardcoded credential in the FlashCopy Manager (FCM) authentication mechanism. The application contains a static credential embedded in multiple authentication code paths, and does not properly validate authentication responses, which may allow an unauthenticated attacker to establish a trusted session and access protected services. This vulnerability affects client components across multiple versions and may allow an attacker to impersonate legitimate clients, potentially leading to unauthorized access to system resources.
"}],"value":"IBM Storage Protect Client 8.1.0.0 through 8.2.1.0 and IBM Storage Protect Snapshot For Windows 8.1.0.0 through 8.2.1.0 could allow a remote attacker to bypass authentication due to the use of a hardcoded credential in the FlashCopy Manager (FCM) authentication mechanism. The application contains a static credential embedded in multiple authentication code paths, and does not properly validate authentication responses, which may allow an unauthenticated attacker to establish a trusted session and access protected services. This vulnerability affects client components across multiple versions and may allow an attacker to impersonate legitimate clients, potentially leading to unauthorized access to system resources."}],"metrics":[{"cvssV3_1":{"attackComplexity":"LOW","attackVector":"NETWORK","availabilityImpact":"NONE","baseScore":8.1,"baseSeverity":"HIGH","confidentialityImpact":"HIGH","integrityImpact":"HIGH","privilegesRequired":"LOW","scope":"UNCHANGED","userInteraction":"NONE","vectorString":"CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N","version":"3.1"},"format":"CVSS","scenarios":[{"lang":"en","value":"GENERAL"}]}],"problemTypes":[{"descriptions":[{"cweId":"CWE-798","description":"CWE-798 Use of Hard-coded Credentials","lang":"en","type":"CWE"}]}],"providerMetadata":{"dateUpdated":"2026-06-22T13:43:33.351Z","orgId":"9a959283-ebb5-44b6-b705-dcc2bbced522","shortName":"ibm"},"references":[{"tags":["vendor-advisory","patch"],"url":"https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/7277245"}],"solutions":[{"lang":"en","supportingMedia":[{"base64":false,"type":"text/html","value":"IBM strongly recommends addressing the vulnerability now.
| Product | Fixing level | Platforms | Link to fix and instructions |
| IBM Storage Protect Backup-Archive Client | 8.2.1.1 | Windows | https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/7267111 |
A hardcoded password present in the source code of IBM Storage Protect Snapshot For Windows, which led to a security vulnerability, has been resolved in this release.
For other platforms (AIX, HP-UX, Linux, Macintosh, and Solaris), the hardcoded password still exists in the code; however, it is not actively used and is only identified during static code scans. This issue has been assessed as low severity, and separate PVRs have been created to track it.