CVE-2026-16869: CWE-426 Untrusted Search Path in IBM AIX
CVE-2026-16869 is a high-severity vulnerability in IBM AIX versions 7.2 and 7.3, as well as IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1. It involves an untrusted search path issue due to improperly scrubbed environment variables, which could allow a local attacker to execute arbitrary code. The vulnerability has a CVSS score of 7.8, indicating significant impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. No official patch or remediation guidance has been provided yet.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
This vulnerability (CVE-2026-16869) affects IBM AIX 7.2, 7.3, and IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1. It arises from CWE-426 (Untrusted Search Path), where environment variables are not properly sanitized, enabling a local attacker with limited privileges to execute arbitrary code. The CVSS 3.1 vector indicates local attack vector, low attack complexity, low privileges required, no user interaction, unchanged scope, and high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. There is no vendor advisory or patch information currently available.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation allows a local attacker to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected process, potentially leading to full system compromise including confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until a fix is available, limit local access to trusted users and monitor for suspicious activity related to environment variable manipulation.
CVE-2026-16869: CWE-426 Untrusted Search Path in IBM AIX
Description
CVE-2026-16869 is a high-severity vulnerability in IBM AIX versions 7.2 and 7.3, as well as IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1. It involves an untrusted search path issue due to improperly scrubbed environment variables, which could allow a local attacker to execute arbitrary code. The vulnerability has a CVSS score of 7.8, indicating significant impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. No official patch or remediation guidance has been provided yet.
CVSS v3.1
Score 7.8high
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 (CVE-2026-16869) affects IBM AIX 7.2, 7.3, and IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1. It arises from CWE-426 (Untrusted Search Path), where environment variables are not properly sanitized, enabling a local attacker with limited privileges to execute arbitrary code. The CVSS 3.1 vector indicates local attack vector, low attack complexity, low privileges required, no user interaction, unchanged scope, and high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. There is no vendor advisory or patch information currently available.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation allows a local attacker to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected process, potentially leading to full system compromise including confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until a fix is available, limit local access to trusted users and monitor for suspicious activity related to environment variable manipulation.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- ibm
- Date Reserved
- 2026-07-24T04:19:21.734Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Remediation Level
- null
Threat ID: 6a860993acd9273b498b4c63
Added to database: 08/19/2026, 19:52:51 UTC
Last enriched: 08/19/2026, 20:07:50 UTC
Last updated: 08/19/2026, 22:43:14 UTC
Views: 4
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