CVE-2026-16932: CWE-78 Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection') in IBM AIX
CVE-2026-16932 is a high severity vulnerability in IBM AIX 7.2, 7.3, and IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1. It involves improper validation of the ODMDIR environment variable, which could allow a local attacker to execute arbitrary OS commands. The vulnerability is classified as CWE-78 (OS Command Injection). No official patch or remediation information is currently available.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
This vulnerability affects IBM AIX versions 7.2 and 7.3, as well as IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1. Due to improper neutralization of special elements in the ODMDIR environment variable, a local attacker with low privileges can execute arbitrary commands on the affected system. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 8.8, indicating high severity with impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-78, which relates to OS command injection flaws. No known exploits are reported in the wild, and no vendor advisory or patch information is currently provided.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation allows a local attacker to execute arbitrary OS commands with the privileges of the affected process, potentially leading to full system compromise. The CVSS vector indicates low attack complexity and no user interaction required, with high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
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 activity related to environment variable manipulation.
CVE-2026-16932: CWE-78 Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection') in IBM AIX
Description
CVE-2026-16932 is a high severity vulnerability in IBM AIX 7.2, 7.3, and IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1. It involves improper validation of the ODMDIR environment variable, which could allow a local attacker to execute arbitrary OS commands. The vulnerability is classified as CWE-78 (OS Command Injection). No official patch or remediation information is currently available.
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 affects IBM AIX versions 7.2 and 7.3, as well as IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1. Due to improper neutralization of special elements in the ODMDIR environment variable, a local attacker with low privileges can execute arbitrary commands on the affected system. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 8.8, indicating high severity with impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-78, which relates to OS command injection flaws. No known exploits are reported in the wild, and no vendor advisory or patch information is currently provided.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation allows a local attacker to execute arbitrary OS commands with the privileges of the affected process, potentially leading to full system compromise. The CVSS vector indicates low attack complexity and no user interaction required, with high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
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 activity related to environment variable manipulation.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- ibm
- Date Reserved
- 2026-07-24T07:29:46.877Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Remediation Level
- null
Threat ID: 6a871857acd9273b49c60d02
Added to database: 08/20/2026, 15:08:07 UTC
Last enriched: 08/20/2026, 15:22:17 UTC
Last updated: 08/20/2026, 15:57:20 UTC
Views: 5
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