CVE-2026-16875: CWE-78 Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection') in IBM AIX
Description
CVE-2026-16875 is a high severity vulnerability in IBM AIX 7.2, 7.3, and IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1 that allows a local attacker to execute arbitrary OS commands due to improper neutralization of special elements (shell metacharacter injection). This vulnerability does not require user interaction and can lead to full confidentiality, integrity, and availability compromise.
CVSS v3.1
Score 7.8high
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, identified as CWE-78 (OS Command Injection), affects IBM AIX versions 7.2 and 7.3, as well as IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1. It allows a local attacker with low privileges to inject shell metacharacters, leading to arbitrary command execution on the affected system. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.8, reflecting high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The attack vector is local, requiring low attack complexity and no user interaction.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation allows a local attacker to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the affected process, potentially leading to full system compromise including unauthorized disclosure, modification, or destruction of data and disruption of system availability.
Mitigation Recommendations
No patch or remediation information is currently provided. Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- ibm
- Date Reserved
- 2026-07-24T04:34:25.877Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
Threat ID: 6a86e0f8acd9273b49838592
Added to database: 08/20/2026, 11:11:52 UTC
Last enriched: 09/11/2026, 02:16:53 UTC
Last updated: 10/05/2026, 06:48:14 UTC
Views: 53
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