CVE-2026-16911: CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow in IBM AIX
CVE-2026-16911 is a high-severity stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability affecting IBM AIX versions 7.2 and 7.3, as well as IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1. It allows a remote authenticated attacker to execute arbitrary code on the affected systems without user interaction. The vulnerability is identified as CWE-121 and has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.8, indicating a significant risk of confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
This vulnerability is a stack-based buffer overflow in IBM AIX 7.2, 7.3, and IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1 that could be exploited by a remote authenticated attacker to execute arbitrary code. The CVSS vector indicates the attack requires network access, low attack complexity, and privileges, but no user interaction. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the system at a high level. No official patch or remediation level has been published yet, and no known exploits are reported in the wild.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation could allow an attacker with valid credentials to execute arbitrary code remotely, potentially leading to full system compromise including unauthorized disclosure, modification, or destruction of data and disruption of service.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix is available, limit remote authenticated access to trusted users and monitor for unusual activity related to this vulnerability.
CVE-2026-16911: CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow in IBM AIX
Description
CVE-2026-16911 is a high-severity stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability affecting IBM AIX versions 7.2 and 7.3, as well as IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1. It allows a remote authenticated attacker to execute arbitrary code on the affected systems without user interaction. The vulnerability is identified as CWE-121 and has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.8, indicating a significant risk of confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact.
CVSS v3.1
Score 8.8high
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 is a stack-based buffer overflow in IBM AIX 7.2, 7.3, and IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1 that could be exploited by a remote authenticated attacker to execute arbitrary code. The CVSS vector indicates the attack requires network access, low attack complexity, and privileges, but no user interaction. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the system at a high level. No official patch or remediation level has been published yet, and no known exploits are reported in the wild.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation could allow an attacker with valid credentials to execute arbitrary code remotely, potentially leading to full system compromise including unauthorized disclosure, modification, or destruction of data and disruption of service.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix is available, limit remote authenticated access to trusted users and monitor for unusual activity related to this vulnerability.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- ibm
- Date Reserved
- 2026-07-24T06:26:36.013Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Remediation Level
- null
Threat ID: 6a860d18acd9273b498f9c33
Added to database: 08/19/2026, 20:07:52 UTC
Last enriched: 08/19/2026, 20:22:24 UTC
Last updated: 08/19/2026, 20:22:24 UTC
Views: 4
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