CVE-2026-16888: CWE-22 Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal') in IBM AIX
IBM AIX 7.2, and 7.3 and IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1 could allow a remote attacker to obtain sensitive information due to a path traversal vulnerability.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
CVE-2026-16888 is a path traversal vulnerability affecting IBM AIX 7.2, 7.3, and IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1. This vulnerability allows a remote attacker to bypass pathname restrictions and potentially obtain sensitive information. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 3.7, indicating low severity, with attack vector network, high attack complexity, no privileges required, and no user interaction needed. No official remediation or patch information is currently available from IBM.
Potential Impact
The vulnerability could allow remote attackers to access sensitive information by exploiting improper limitation of pathnames. However, the impact is limited to confidentiality with no integrity or availability impact. The low CVSS score reflects limited impact and higher attack complexity.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. No official fix or workaround has been published by IBM at this time.
CVE-2026-16888: CWE-22 Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal') in IBM AIX
Description
IBM AIX 7.2, and 7.3 and IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1 could allow a remote attacker to obtain sensitive information due to a path traversal vulnerability.
CVSS v3.1
Score 3.7low
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
CVE-2026-16888 is a path traversal vulnerability affecting IBM AIX 7.2, 7.3, and IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1. This vulnerability allows a remote attacker to bypass pathname restrictions and potentially obtain sensitive information. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 3.7, indicating low severity, with attack vector network, high attack complexity, no privileges required, and no user interaction needed. No official remediation or patch information is currently available from IBM.
Potential Impact
The vulnerability could allow remote attackers to access sensitive information by exploiting improper limitation of pathnames. However, the impact is limited to confidentiality with no integrity or availability impact. The low CVSS score reflects limited impact and higher attack complexity.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. No official fix or workaround has been published by IBM at this time.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- ibm
- Date Reserved
- 2026-07-24T05:05:29.021Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Remediation Level
- null
Threat ID: 6a86e0f8acd9273b4983859a
Added to database: 08/20/2026, 11:11:52 UTC
Last enriched: 08/20/2026, 11:16:13 UTC
Last updated: 08/20/2026, 16:49:08 UTC
Views: 5
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