CVE-2026-16850: CWE-269 Improper Privilege Management in IBM AIX
CVE-2026-16850 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting IBM AIX versions 7.2 and 7.3, as well as IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1. It involves improper privilege management (CWE-269) that could allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code via crafted Router Advertisements. The vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 score of 8.8, indicating high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. No official patch or remediation guidance has been provided yet.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
This vulnerability in IBM AIX 7.2 and 7.3, and IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1, arises from improper privilege management that enables remote attackers to perform command injection through specially crafted Router Advertisements. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution without requiring user interaction or privileges. The CVSS 3.1 vector indicates the attack is remotely exploitable over a network with low attack complexity and no privileges or user interaction needed, impacting confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Potential Impact
If exploited, an attacker could execute arbitrary code remotely on affected IBM AIX systems and IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1, potentially leading to full system compromise. The vulnerability affects core system components related to network management, which could severely impact system confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. No official fix or temporary mitigation has been published by IBM at this time.
CVE-2026-16850: CWE-269 Improper Privilege Management in IBM AIX
Description
CVE-2026-16850 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting IBM AIX versions 7.2 and 7.3, as well as IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1. It involves improper privilege management (CWE-269) that could allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code via crafted Router Advertisements. The vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 score of 8.8, indicating high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. No official patch or remediation guidance has been provided yet.
CVSS v3.1
Score 8.8high
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 in IBM AIX 7.2 and 7.3, and IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1, arises from improper privilege management that enables remote attackers to perform command injection through specially crafted Router Advertisements. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution without requiring user interaction or privileges. The CVSS 3.1 vector indicates the attack is remotely exploitable over a network with low attack complexity and no privileges or user interaction needed, impacting confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Potential Impact
If exploited, an attacker could execute arbitrary code remotely on affected IBM AIX systems and IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1, potentially leading to full system compromise. The vulnerability affects core system components related to network management, which could severely impact system confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. No official fix or temporary mitigation has been published by IBM at this time.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- ibm
- Date Reserved
- 2026-07-24T03:19:59.135Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Remediation Level
- null
Threat ID: 6a860991acd9273b498b4c29
Added to database: 08/19/2026, 19:52:49 UTC
Last enriched: 08/19/2026, 20:08:50 UTC
Last updated: 08/19/2026, 23:18:04 UTC
Views: 3
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