CVE-2026-16866: CWE-125 Out-of-bounds Read in IBM AIX
CVE-2026-16866 is an out-of-bounds read vulnerability in IBM AIX versions 7.2 and 7.3, as well as IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1. This flaw could allow a remote attacker to cause a denial of service condition. The vulnerability has a medium severity rating with a CVSS score of 4.8. No official patch or remediation guidance has been provided yet.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
IBM AIX 7.2 and 7.3, along with IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1, contain an out-of-bounds read vulnerability (CWE-125) that could be exploited remotely to cause a denial of service. The vulnerability is identified as CVE-2026-16866 and has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 4.8, indicating medium severity. The attack vector is network-based with high attack complexity and no privileges or user interaction required. The vulnerability impacts system availability but does not affect confidentiality or integrity. No vendor advisory or patch information is currently available to confirm remediation status.
Potential Impact
A remote attacker could exploit this out-of-bounds read vulnerability to cause a denial of service on affected IBM AIX systems and IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1. The impact is limited to availability disruption without confidentiality or integrity compromise.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix is available, monitor IBM security advisories for updates and consider applying any recommended temporary mitigations once published.
CVE-2026-16866: CWE-125 Out-of-bounds Read in IBM AIX
Description
CVE-2026-16866 is an out-of-bounds read vulnerability in IBM AIX versions 7.2 and 7.3, as well as IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1. This flaw could allow a remote attacker to cause a denial of service condition. The vulnerability has a medium severity rating with a CVSS score of 4.8. No official patch or remediation guidance has been provided yet.
CVSS v3.1
Score 4.8medium
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 an out-of-bounds read vulnerability (CWE-125) that could be exploited remotely to cause a denial of service. The vulnerability is identified as CVE-2026-16866 and has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 4.8, indicating medium severity. The attack vector is network-based with high attack complexity and no privileges or user interaction required. The vulnerability impacts system availability but does not affect confidentiality or integrity. No vendor advisory or patch information is currently available to confirm remediation status.
Potential Impact
A remote attacker could exploit this out-of-bounds read vulnerability to cause a denial of service on affected IBM AIX systems and IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1. The impact is limited to availability disruption without confidentiality or integrity compromise.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix is available, monitor IBM security advisories for updates and consider applying any recommended temporary mitigations once published.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- ibm
- Date Reserved
- 2026-07-24T04:11:52.991Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Remediation Level
- null
Threat ID: 6a860993acd9273b498b4c61
Added to database: 08/19/2026, 19:52:51 UTC
Last enriched: 08/19/2026, 20:08:10 UTC
Last updated: 08/19/2026, 22:43:09 UTC
Views: 5
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