CVE-2026-16857: CWE-287 Improper Authentication in IBM AIX
Description
CVE-2026-16857 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 authentication that could allow a remote attacker to manipulate network traffic and DNS configuration. The vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 score of 8.2, indicating a significant risk. No patch or remediation information is provided in the available data.
CVSS v3.1
Score 8.2high
Affected software
IBM
AIX
IBM
PowerVM VIOS
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 (CVE-2026-16857) in IBM AIX 7.2, 7.3, and IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1 is classified as CWE-287 (Improper Authentication). It allows a remote attacker to manipulate network traffic and DNS configuration due to insufficient authentication controls. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 8.2, with attack vector network (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), no user interaction (UI:N), unchanged scope (S:U), no confidentiality impact (C:N), high integrity impact (I:H), and low availability impact (A:L).
Potential Impact
An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could manipulate network traffic and DNS settings remotely without authentication, potentially leading to integrity compromise of network communications and limited availability impact. Confidentiality is not affected according to the CVSS vector.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the IBM vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. No official fix or patch information is provided in the available data. Until a patch is available, monitor IBM advisories for updates.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- ibm
- Date Reserved
- 2026-07-24T03:38:04.871Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
Threat ID: 6a860993acd9273b498b4c59
Added to database: 08/19/2026, 19:52:51 UTC
Last enriched: 09/11/2026, 05:47:22 UTC
Last updated: 10/04/2026, 10:02:25 UTC
Views: 38
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