CVE-2026-16855: CWE-787 Out-of-bounds Write in IBM AIX
CVE-2026-16855 is a medium severity vulnerability affecting IBM AIX versions 7.2 and 7.3, as well as IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1. It involves a heap buffer overflow that could be exploited by a local attacker to cause a denial of service. The vulnerability does not impact confidentiality or integrity but can disrupt availability. No official patch or remediation information is currently available.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
This vulnerability, identified as CWE-787 (Out-of-bounds Write), exists in IBM AIX 7.2 and 7.3 and IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1. It allows a local attacker with low privileges to trigger a heap buffer overflow, leading to a denial of service condition. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 5.5, reflecting medium severity with attack vector local, low attack complexity, and no user interaction required. The vulnerability affects availability only, with no impact on confidentiality or integrity. There is no vendor advisory or patch information provided at this time.
Potential Impact
A local attacker can exploit this vulnerability to cause a denial of service by triggering a heap buffer overflow. There is no impact on confidentiality or integrity of the system. The disruption affects system availability.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix is released, restrict local access to trusted users only to minimize risk.
CVE-2026-16855: CWE-787 Out-of-bounds Write in IBM AIX
Description
CVE-2026-16855 is a medium severity vulnerability affecting IBM AIX versions 7.2 and 7.3, as well as IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1. It involves a heap buffer overflow that could be exploited by a local attacker to cause a denial of service. The vulnerability does not impact confidentiality or integrity but can disrupt availability. No official patch or remediation information is currently available.
CVSS v3.1
Score 5.5medium
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-787 (Out-of-bounds Write), exists in IBM AIX 7.2 and 7.3 and IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1. It allows a local attacker with low privileges to trigger a heap buffer overflow, leading to a denial of service condition. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 5.5, reflecting medium severity with attack vector local, low attack complexity, and no user interaction required. The vulnerability affects availability only, with no impact on confidentiality or integrity. There is no vendor advisory or patch information provided at this time.
Potential Impact
A local attacker can exploit this vulnerability to cause a denial of service by triggering a heap buffer overflow. There is no impact on confidentiality or integrity of the system. The disruption affects system availability.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix is released, restrict local access to trusted users only to minimize risk.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- ibm
- Date Reserved
- 2026-07-24T03:32:30.451Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Remediation Level
- null
Threat ID: 6a860991acd9273b498b4c2f
Added to database: 08/19/2026, 19:52:49 UTC
Last enriched: 08/19/2026, 20:08:33 UTC
Last updated: 08/19/2026, 20:52:18 UTC
Views: 3
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