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CVE-2026-16872: CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow in IBM AIX

0
Critical
VulnerabilityCVE-2026-16872cvecve-2026-16872cwe-121
Published: 08/19/2026 (08/19/2026, 19:40:30 UTC)
Source: CVE Database V5
Vendor/Project: IBM
Product: AIX

Description

CVE-2026-16872 is a critical stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability affecting IBM AIX versions 7.2 and 7.3, as well as IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1. This flaw could allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code without any privileges or user interaction. The vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8, indicating high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

CVSS v3.1

Score 9.8critical

Attack Vector
Network
Attack Complexity
Low
Privileges Required
None
User Interaction
None
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
High
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Affected software

IBM

AIX

Affected versions
=7.2=7.3

IBM

PowerVM VIOS

Affected versions
=4.1
Ibmmore threats →ai
ibm/aix
pkg:rpm/ibm/aix
Affected versions
=7.2=7.3
Ibmmore threats →ai
ibm/powervm_vios
pkg:rpm/ibm/powervm_vios
Affected versions
=4.1
CPE configurations (6)
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:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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AI-Powered Analysis

Machine-generated threat intelligence

AILast updated: 09/11/2026, 05:46:55 UTC

Technical Analysis

This vulnerability is a stack-based buffer overflow (CWE-121) in IBM AIX 7.2, 7.3, and IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1. It enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The CVSS 3.1 vector indicates the attack can be performed remotely with low complexity, no privileges, and no user interaction, resulting in complete compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

Potential Impact

Successful exploitation allows remote code execution with full impact on system confidentiality, integrity, and availability. This can lead to complete system compromise.

Mitigation Recommendations

Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance.

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Technical Details

Data Version
5.2
Assigner Short Name
ibm
Date Reserved
2026-07-24T04:28:54.271Z
Cvss Version
3.1
State
PUBLISHED

Threat ID: 6a860993acd9273b498b4c65

Added to database: 08/19/2026, 19:52:51 UTC

Last enriched: 09/11/2026, 05:46:55 UTC

Last updated: 10/04/2026, 10:02:25 UTC

Views: 38

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