CVE-2026-16829: CWE-476 NULL Pointer Dereference in IBM AIX
A NULL pointer dereference vulnerability exists in IBM AIX versions 7.2 and 7.3, as well as IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1. This flaw could allow a remote attacker to cause a denial of service by triggering the NULL pointer dereference. The vulnerability has a medium severity rating with a CVSS score of 5.3. No official patch or remediation information is currently provided by the vendor.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
CVE-2026-16829 is a vulnerability in IBM AIX 7.2, 7.3, and IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1 where a NULL pointer dereference can be triggered remotely, resulting in a denial of service condition. The vulnerability is identified as CWE-476 (NULL Pointer Dereference). The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.3, indicating medium severity, with attack vector requiring adjacent network access, high attack complexity, no privileges required, no user interaction, and impact limited to availability. No vendor advisory or patch information is currently available to confirm remediation status.
Potential Impact
A remote attacker could cause a denial of service on affected IBM AIX and PowerVM VIOS systems by exploiting this NULL pointer dereference vulnerability. There is no impact on confidentiality or integrity according to the CVSS vector. The denial of service could disrupt availability of the affected system or service.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix is available, consider limiting network access to trusted sources and monitoring for unusual system crashes or reboots related to this vulnerability.
CVE-2026-16829: CWE-476 NULL Pointer Dereference in IBM AIX
Description
A NULL pointer dereference vulnerability exists in IBM AIX versions 7.2 and 7.3, as well as IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1. This flaw could allow a remote attacker to cause a denial of service by triggering the NULL pointer dereference. The vulnerability has a medium severity rating with a CVSS score of 5.3. No official patch or remediation information is currently provided by the vendor.
CVSS v3.1
Score 5.3medium
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
CVE-2026-16829 is a vulnerability in IBM AIX 7.2, 7.3, and IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1 where a NULL pointer dereference can be triggered remotely, resulting in a denial of service condition. The vulnerability is identified as CWE-476 (NULL Pointer Dereference). The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.3, indicating medium severity, with attack vector requiring adjacent network access, high attack complexity, no privileges required, no user interaction, and impact limited to availability. No vendor advisory or patch information is currently available to confirm remediation status.
Potential Impact
A remote attacker could cause a denial of service on affected IBM AIX and PowerVM VIOS systems by exploiting this NULL pointer dereference vulnerability. There is no impact on confidentiality or integrity according to the CVSS vector. The denial of service could disrupt availability of the affected system or service.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix is available, consider limiting network access to trusted sources and monitoring for unusual system crashes or reboots related to this vulnerability.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- ibm
- Date Reserved
- 2026-07-24T02:28:01.377Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Remediation Level
- null
Threat ID: 6a860605acd9273b49871aa2
Added to database: 08/19/2026, 19:37:41 UTC
Last enriched: 08/19/2026, 19:55:59 UTC
Last updated: 08/19/2026, 21:27:06 UTC
Views: 4
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