CVE-2026-16849: CWE-129 Improper Validation of Array Index in IBM AIX
CVE-2026-16849 is a medium severity vulnerability in IBM AIX versions 7.2 and 7.3, as well as IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1. It involves improper validation of an array index boundary, which could allow a remote attacker to cause a denial of service. The vulnerability does not impact confidentiality or integrity but affects availability. No official patch or remediation guidance is currently provided by IBM, and there are no known exploits in the wild.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
This vulnerability, identified as CWE-129, arises from improper validation of an array index boundary in IBM AIX 7.2, 7.3, and IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1. An attacker with network access could exploit this flaw to trigger a denial of service condition by causing the affected system to improperly handle array indexing. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 4.3, reflecting a medium severity with attack vector as adjacent network, low attack complexity, no privileges required, no user interaction, and impact limited to availability.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation results in denial of service, impacting system availability. There is no impact on confidentiality or integrity. The vulnerability requires an attacker to have adjacent network access and does not require privileges or user interaction.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the IBM vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. No official fix or workaround is currently documented. Monitor IBM security advisories for updates.
CVE-2026-16849: CWE-129 Improper Validation of Array Index in IBM AIX
Description
CVE-2026-16849 is a medium severity vulnerability in IBM AIX versions 7.2 and 7.3, as well as IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1. It involves improper validation of an array index boundary, which could allow a remote attacker to cause a denial of service. The vulnerability does not impact confidentiality or integrity but affects availability. No official patch or remediation guidance is currently provided by IBM, and there are no known exploits in the wild.
CVSS v3.1
Score 4.3medium
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
This vulnerability, identified as CWE-129, arises from improper validation of an array index boundary in IBM AIX 7.2, 7.3, and IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1. An attacker with network access could exploit this flaw to trigger a denial of service condition by causing the affected system to improperly handle array indexing. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 4.3, reflecting a medium severity with attack vector as adjacent network, low attack complexity, no privileges required, no user interaction, and impact limited to availability.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation results in denial of service, impacting system availability. There is no impact on confidentiality or integrity. The vulnerability requires an attacker to have adjacent network access and does not require privileges or user interaction.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the IBM vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. No official fix or workaround is currently documented. Monitor IBM security advisories for updates.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- ibm
- Date Reserved
- 2026-07-24T03:17:38.730Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Remediation Level
- null
Threat ID: 6a860991acd9273b498b4c27
Added to database: 08/19/2026, 19:52:49 UTC
Last enriched: 08/19/2026, 20:08:57 UTC
Last updated: 08/19/2026, 22:04:41 UTC
Views: 4
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