CVE-2026-16873: CWE-787 Out-of-bounds Write in IBM AIX
IBM AIX 7.2, and 7.3 and IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1 could allow a local attacker to achieve local privilege escalation due to an out-of-bounds write.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
This vulnerability, identified as CWE-787 (Out-of-bounds Write), affects IBM AIX 7.2, 7.3, and IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1. A local attacker could exploit this flaw to perform an out-of-bounds write, potentially leading to local privilege escalation. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.8, indicating a high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. No vendor advisory or patch information is currently available, and no known exploits are reported in the wild.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation could allow a local attacker with limited privileges to gain higher privileges on the affected system, compromising confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the system. This could lead to unauthorized access and control over the affected environment.
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 and monitor for suspicious local activity as a precaution.
CVE-2026-16873: CWE-787 Out-of-bounds Write in IBM AIX
Description
IBM AIX 7.2, and 7.3 and IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1 could allow a local attacker to achieve local privilege escalation due to an out-of-bounds write.
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, identified as CWE-787 (Out-of-bounds Write), affects IBM AIX 7.2, 7.3, and IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1. A local attacker could exploit this flaw to perform an out-of-bounds write, potentially leading to local privilege escalation. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.8, indicating a high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. No vendor advisory or patch information is currently available, and no known exploits are reported in the wild.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation could allow a local attacker with limited privileges to gain higher privileges on the affected system, compromising confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the system. This could lead to unauthorized access and control over the affected environment.
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 and monitor for suspicious local activity as a precaution.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- ibm
- Date Reserved
- 2026-07-24T04:30:49.601Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Remediation Level
- null
Threat ID: 6a86e0f8acd9273b4983858e
Added to database: 08/20/2026, 11:11:52 UTC
Last enriched: 08/20/2026, 11:15:23 UTC
Last updated: 08/20/2026, 19:25:24 UTC
Views: 4
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