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CVE-2026-16844: CWE-78 Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection') in IBM AIX

0
High
VulnerabilityCVE-2026-16844cvecve-2026-16844cwe-78
Published: 08/19/2026 (08/19/2026, 19:32:10 UTC)
Source: CVE Database V5
Vendor/Project: IBM
Product: AIX

Description

CVE-2026-16844 is a high-severity vulnerability in IBM AIX 7.2, 7.3, and IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1 that allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary OS commands. This occurs due to improper neutralization of special elements in OS commands, classified as CWE-78 OS Command Injection.

CVSS v3.1

Score 8.8high

Attack Vector
Adjacent Network
Attack Complexity
Low
Privileges Required
None
User Interaction
None
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
High
CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Affected software

IBM

AIX

Affected versions
=7.2=7.3

IBM

PowerVM VIOS

Affected versions
=4.1
Ibmmore threats →ai
ibm/aix
pkg:rpm/ibm/aix
Affected versions
=7.2=7.3
Ibmmore threats →ai
ibm/powervm_vios
pkg:rpm/ibm/powervm_vios
Affected versions
=4.1
CPE configurations (6)
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.

AI-Powered Analysis

Machine-generated threat intelligence

AILast updated: 09/11/2026, 06:02:15 UTC

Technical Analysis

This vulnerability affects IBM AIX versions 7.2 and 7.3, as well as IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1. It arises from improper neutralization of special elements used in OS commands, enabling a remote attacker to execute arbitrary commands on the affected system. The CVSS v3.1 score is 8.8, indicating high severity with attack vector as adjacent network, low attack complexity, no privileges or user interaction required, and high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

Potential Impact

Successful exploitation allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary OS commands on affected IBM AIX and PowerVM VIOS systems, potentially leading to full system compromise including unauthorized data access, modification, or denial of service.

Mitigation Recommendations

No patch or remediation information is provided in the available data. Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the IBM vendor advisory for current remediation guidance before taking action.

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Technical Details

Data Version
5.2
Assigner Short Name
ibm
Date Reserved
2026-07-24T03:07:05.630Z
Cvss Version
3.1
State
PUBLISHED

Threat ID: 6a860991acd9273b498b4c1d

Added to database: 08/19/2026, 19:52:49 UTC

Last enriched: 09/11/2026, 06:02:15 UTC

Last updated: 10/04/2026, 10:02:25 UTC

Views: 40

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