CVE-2026-16656: CWE-287 Improper Authentication in IBM AIX
CVE-2026-16656 is a critical vulnerability in IBM AIX versions 7.2 and 7.3, as well as IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1, involving improper authentication. This flaw could allow a remote attacker to gain root privileges without authentication. The vulnerability has a high CVSS score of 9.8, indicating severe impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. No official patch or remediation guidance is currently provided by the vendor. There are no known exploits in the wild at this time.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
IBM AIX 7.2 and 7.3, along with IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1, contain an improper authentication vulnerability (CWE-287) that could enable a remote attacker to gain root privileges. The vulnerability is remotely exploitable without user interaction and requires no privileges to exploit. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 9.8, reflecting critical impact on system confidentiality, integrity, and availability. As of the current data, no official remediation or patch has been announced by IBM.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation of this vulnerability allows a remote attacker to gain root-level privileges on affected IBM AIX systems, leading to full system compromise. This includes complete control over the system, potentially allowing unauthorized access, data manipulation, and service disruption.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix is released, restrict network access to affected systems and monitor for unusual activity. Follow IBM's official channels for updates on patches or mitigations.
CVE-2026-16656: CWE-287 Improper Authentication in IBM AIX
Description
CVE-2026-16656 is a critical vulnerability in IBM AIX versions 7.2 and 7.3, as well as IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1, involving improper authentication. This flaw could allow a remote attacker to gain root privileges without authentication. The vulnerability has a high CVSS score of 9.8, indicating severe impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. No official patch or remediation guidance is currently provided by the vendor. There are no known exploits in the wild at this time.
CVSS v3.1
Score 9.8critical
Affected software
cpe:2.3:a:ibm:aix:7.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*cpe:2.3:a:ibm:aix:7.2.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*cpe:2.3:a:ibm:aix:7.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*cpe:2.3:a:ibm:aix:7.3.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*cpe:2.3:a:ibm:powervm_vios:4.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*cpe:2.3:a:ibm:powervm_vios:4.1.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*Run on your own infrastructure? Check whether these packages are installed with threat-finder — our free open-source scanner.
Weaknesses
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
IBM AIX 7.2 and 7.3, along with IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1, contain an improper authentication vulnerability (CWE-287) that could enable a remote attacker to gain root privileges. The vulnerability is remotely exploitable without user interaction and requires no privileges to exploit. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 9.8, reflecting critical impact on system confidentiality, integrity, and availability. As of the current data, no official remediation or patch has been announced by IBM.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation of this vulnerability allows a remote attacker to gain root-level privileges on affected IBM AIX systems, leading to full system compromise. This includes complete control over the system, potentially allowing unauthorized access, data manipulation, and service disruption.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix is released, restrict network access to affected systems and monitor for unusual activity. Follow IBM's official channels for updates on patches or mitigations.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- ibm
- Date Reserved
- 2026-07-22T19:23:22.019Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Remediation Level
- null
Threat ID: 6a85c706acd9273b493b2fea
Added to database: 08/19/2026, 15:08:54 UTC
Last enriched: 08/19/2026, 15:39:12 UTC
Last updated: 08/19/2026, 15:52:22 UTC
Views: 2
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