Your IBM i system may be your most trusted platform, but trust without vigilance is a significant risk. With ransomware attacks hitting record highs, many organizations unknowingly leave their mission-critical systems exposed. Hackers don’t need to outsmart IBM i; they simply exploit the most common IBM i security vulnerabilities left by weak security practices. The consequences are costly: encrypted data, stolen customer records, and compliance fines that could take years to recover from.
The good news? Each of these IBM i security vulnerabilities is preventable. This guide uncovers the top seven vulnerabilities and provides practical fixes to help you take control before it’s too late. You’ll learn how to strengthen your defenses, protect against modern threats, and adopt a proactive approach to IBM i security.
1. Unsecured File Shares Create Ransomware Entry Points
File shares often provide unrestricted access to sensitive areas of the system, including the root directory. When a user’s device is compromised with malware, mapped drives connected via file shares allow it to infiltrate the IBM i Integrated File System (IFS). Modern ransomware no longer just encrypts data; it also exfiltrates it and threatens public exposure if the ransom isn’t paid. This makes effective IBM i ransomware protection more critical than ever.
IBM i Security Solution:
- Reduce and Restrict: Minimize file shares to an absolute minimum. Remove all unnecessary shares and convert any read-write shares to read-only wherever feasible.
- Leverage Authorization Lists: Use IBM i 7.5’s authorization lists to restrict file share access to specific users and roles, ensuring a least-privilege model.
- Block Critical Access: Prevent user-level mapping to the root (/) and other critical system directories.
- Conduct Regular Audits: Establish regular audits of file shares and user permissions to identify and mitigate risks before they are exploited.
2. Outdated Security Levels Fail Modern Standards
Systems running at QSECURITY levels 20 or 30 operate with dangerously outdated settings. At level 20, every user has *ALLOBJ (All Object) authority, meaning they can access or modify anything on the system. Level 30, while slightly better, still falls short of today’s compliance and security demands.
IBM i Security Solution:
- Upgrade to Level 40 or 50: Upgrade all systems to at least security level 40, which provides robust user restrictions and is considered the industry standard. Level 50 offers even more stringent controls, necessary for systems with highly sensitive data or strict regulatory requirements.
- Plan the Transition: Before upgrading, use SQL services and audit journals to identify potential application conflicts or access gaps that may arise at higher levels.
- Review Permissions: For systems at level 20, create a transition plan that ensures all user permissions are reviewed and adjusted before removing the sweeping *ALLOBJ authority.
3. Weak Password Policies Invite Brute-Force Attacks
Weak password policies remain one of the easiest vulnerabilities to exploit. Older configurations at password levels 0 or 1 restrict password length and complexity, making brute-force attacks simple. Furthermore, hardcoded passwords in applications, FTP connections, and scripts create permanent backdoors that bypass even the strongest policies.
IBM i Security Solution:
- Enable Passphrases: Move to password level 3 to enable passphrases up to 128 characters. These longer, more complex credentials make brute-force attacks exponentially harder.
- Adopt Modern Standards: For enhanced security, use password level 4 in IBM i 7.5 to enforce modern hashing algorithms.
- Eliminate Hardcoded Credentials: Audit all system connections for hardcoded passwords and replace them with dynamic or encrypted alternatives.
- Enforce Complexity: Implement advanced password rules requiring uppercase letters, special characters, and numbers.
- Add Another Layer: Pair strong password policies with multi-factor authentication (MFA), especially for privileged accounts.
4. Misconfigured User Profiles Lead to Overexposure
Excessive permissions, such as *ALLOBJ or *SECADM, expose systems to accidental or malicious damage. A user with too much authority can inadvertently delete critical files or, if their account is compromised, give an attacker the keys to the kingdom. Inactive user profiles add to the risk, leaving dormant credentials vulnerable to takeover.
Real-World Scenario: The Privileged Account Takeover
An attacker breaches the corporate network through a phishing email. They discover an administrator uses the same password across multiple systems. Using the stolen credentials, they log into IBM i with a powerful profile, gaining full access to sensitive libraries. The attacker then exfiltrates customer data before encrypting production libraries, halting business operations.
IBM i Security Solution:
- Enforce Least Privilege: Regularly review user profiles to ensure they align with the principle of least privilege. Grant only the permissions necessary for each user’s role.
- Use Authority Collection: Leverage IBM i’s authority collection feature to determine the exact permissions needed by service accounts and privileged users, then refine them accordingly. Learn more about the IBM i Security Suite.
- Manage Inactive Profiles: Disable or delete inactive user profiles immediately. With IBM i 7.5, you can automate this process with SQL services to save time and reduce human error.
- Implement a Zero Trust Model: Adopt a Zero Trust approach where no user or device is trusted by default. Every access request should be verified, regardless of its origin.
5. Unsecured Data Access Leaves a Wide-Open Door
Data in IBM i environments is often under-protected due to public authority settings like *ALL, which grant unrestricted access to sensitive files and directories. Organizations frequently overlook the IFS, a primary target for ransomware that can be accessed through network protocols.
IBM i Security Solution:
- Adopt a Deny-by-Default Policy: Implement a deny-by-default policy for public authority, which restricts access to sensitive data unless explicitly granted.
- Monitor Data Access: Use authority collection for database files and IFS directories (available in IBM i 7.4 and later) to identify who accesses what and how often.
- Encrypt Sensitive Data: Protect data at rest and in transit by encrypting sensitive files, especially for backups and critical workloads.
6. Poorly Monitored Network Traffic Hides Threats
While external firewalls protect the perimeter, they fail to monitor internal IBM i network traffic. Without visibility into this activity, organizations cannot detect or block unauthorized use of FTP, ODBC, or SQL. Attackers can move laterally across the network, accessing the IBM i from a compromised workstation without triggering any alarms.
IBM i Security Solution:
- Deploy Exit Programs: Use exit programs to control and monitor access to remote protocols like FTP, SSH, and SQL. The Fresche IBM i Security Suite provides robust exit point management.
- Configure Real-Time Alerts: Set up alerts for unauthorized access attempts and integrate them into your existing SIEM solution for centralized monitoring.
- Restrict Protocol Access: Limit protocol access to only essential users and enforce restrictions with network security rules.
7. A Lack of Defense-in-Depth Strategy
Relying on a single security measure, such as passwords or firewalls, leaves gaps that attackers can and will exploit. A comprehensive defense-in-depth strategy layers multiple controls to address vulnerabilities from different angles. This approach ensures that if one layer fails, others are in place to stop an attack.
IBM i Security Solution:
- Establish a Strong Baseline: Set strong system values as a foundation for all configurations. Enforce strict password rules, lock down file shares, and remove public permissions on sensitive objects.
- Develop Additional Layers: Implement controls like data encryption, exit programs for remote access, and real-time monitoring tools for deeper insights.
- Test Your Defenses: Regularly conduct penetration tests and vulnerability scans to identify and address security gaps before they can be exploited.
- Stay Informed: Security is an ongoing process. Keep up with evolving threats by following expert guidance.
Take the Next Step Toward Resolving IBM i Security Vulnerabilities
As outlined above, IBM i security vulnerabilities can put your entire operation at risk if left unaddressed. Every unchecked gap increases the potential for data breaches, ransomware, and financial loss. Take a proactive, layered approach to secure your system and maintain compliance.
Protect your IBM i environment today! Watch our on-demand webinar, “IBM i Security Trends for 2025,” and discover actionable strategies to safeguard your systems from modern threats.
