CVE-2026-16837: CWE-400 Uncontrolled Resource Consumption in IBM AIX
Description
CVE-2026-16837 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting IBM AIX versions 7.2 and 7.3, as well as IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1. It involves uncontrolled resource consumption due to improper handling of a missing SSL client certificate, which could allow a remote attacker to cause a denial of service (DoS). The vulnerability does not impact confidentiality or integrity but results in service disruption.
CVSS v3.1
Score 7.5high
Affected software
IBM
AIX
IBM
PowerVM VIOS
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
This vulnerability (CVE-2026-16837) in IBM AIX 7.2, 7.3, and IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1 arises from improper handling of missing SSL client certificates. An unauthenticated remote attacker can exploit this flaw to trigger uncontrolled resource consumption, leading to a denial of service condition. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.5, reflecting network attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges required, no user interaction, and an impact limited to availability.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation results in denial of service by exhausting system resources, causing service unavailability. There is no impact on confidentiality or integrity.
Mitigation Recommendations
No patch or official fix information is currently provided. Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the IBM vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until a fix is available, monitor for unusual resource consumption related to SSL client certificate handling and consider applying any recommended temporary mitigations from IBM.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- ibm
- Date Reserved
- 2026-07-24T02:53:47.456Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
Threat ID: 6a86098facd9273b498b4bf3
Added to database: 08/19/2026, 19:52:47 UTC
Last enriched: 09/11/2026, 06:17:02 UTC
Last updated: 10/04/2026, 10:02:25 UTC
Views: 47
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