CVE-2026-16851: CWE-416 Use After Free in IBM AIX
CVE-2026-16851 is a use-after-free vulnerability in IBM AIX versions 7.2 and 7.3, as well as IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1. This vulnerability could allow a remote attacker to cause a denial of service. The vulnerability has a high severity score of 7.4 and does not impact confidentiality or integrity, only availability. No official patch or remediation information is currently provided.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
IBM AIX 7.2 and 7.3, along with IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1, contain a use-after-free vulnerability (CWE-416) that could be exploited remotely to cause a denial of service condition. The CVSS 3.1 score is 7.4, reflecting high severity due to the potential for availability impact without requiring privileges or user interaction. There is no vendor advisory or patch information available at this time, and no known exploits in the wild have been reported.
Potential Impact
The vulnerability allows a remote attacker to cause a denial of service by exploiting a use-after-free condition. There is no impact on confidentiality or integrity. The denial of service could disrupt availability of affected systems running IBM AIX 7.2, 7.3, or IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. No official fix or workaround has been published at this time.
CVE-2026-16851: CWE-416 Use After Free in IBM AIX
Description
CVE-2026-16851 is a use-after-free vulnerability in IBM AIX versions 7.2 and 7.3, as well as IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1. This vulnerability could allow a remote attacker to cause a denial of service. The vulnerability has a high severity score of 7.4 and does not impact confidentiality or integrity, only availability. No official patch or remediation information is currently provided.
CVSS v3.1
Score 7.4high
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
IBM AIX 7.2 and 7.3, along with IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1, contain a use-after-free vulnerability (CWE-416) that could be exploited remotely to cause a denial of service condition. The CVSS 3.1 score is 7.4, reflecting high severity due to the potential for availability impact without requiring privileges or user interaction. There is no vendor advisory or patch information available at this time, and no known exploits in the wild have been reported.
Potential Impact
The vulnerability allows a remote attacker to cause a denial of service by exploiting a use-after-free condition. There is no impact on confidentiality or integrity. The denial of service could disrupt availability of affected systems running IBM AIX 7.2, 7.3, or IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. No official fix or workaround has been published at this time.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- ibm
- Date Reserved
- 2026-07-24T03:22:32.830Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Remediation Level
- null
Threat ID: 6a860991acd9273b498b4c2b
Added to database: 08/19/2026, 19:52:49 UTC
Last enriched: 08/19/2026, 20:08:45 UTC
Last updated: 08/19/2026, 21:12:11 UTC
Views: 2
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