CVE-2026-16937: CWE-269 Improper Privilege Management in IBM AIX
CVE-2026-16937 is a high-severity vulnerability in IBM AIX versions 7.2 and 7.3, as well as IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1, involving improper privilege management. This flaw could allow a local attacker to gain elevated privileges without user interaction. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-269, indicating improper privilege management. No official patch or remediation guidance has been provided yet.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
IBM AIX 7.2 and 7.3, along with IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1, contain a vulnerability (CVE-2026-16937) due to improper privilege management (CWE-269). This vulnerability allows a local attacker with limited privileges to escalate their privileges, potentially leading to full system compromise. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 7.8, reflecting high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. As of the published date, no official fix or patch has been announced by IBM.
Potential Impact
A local attacker with limited privileges could exploit this vulnerability to gain elevated privileges, resulting in high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected systems. This could lead to unauthorized access and control over the system.
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 privilege escalation attempts.
CVE-2026-16937: CWE-269 Improper Privilege Management in IBM AIX
Description
CVE-2026-16937 is a high-severity vulnerability in IBM AIX versions 7.2 and 7.3, as well as IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1, involving improper privilege management. This flaw could allow a local attacker to gain elevated privileges without user interaction. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-269, indicating improper privilege management. No official patch or remediation guidance has been provided yet.
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
IBM AIX 7.2 and 7.3, along with IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1, contain a vulnerability (CVE-2026-16937) due to improper privilege management (CWE-269). This vulnerability allows a local attacker with limited privileges to escalate their privileges, potentially leading to full system compromise. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 7.8, reflecting high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. As of the published date, no official fix or patch has been announced by IBM.
Potential Impact
A local attacker with limited privileges could exploit this vulnerability to gain elevated privileges, resulting in high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected systems. This could lead to unauthorized access and control over the system.
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 privilege escalation attempts.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- ibm
- Date Reserved
- 2026-07-24T07:41:26.162Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Remediation Level
- null
Threat ID: 6a87778eacd9273b492c5f9f
Added to database: 08/20/2026, 21:54:22 UTC
Last enriched: 08/20/2026, 22:07:43 UTC
Last updated: 08/21/2026, 02:03:45 UTC
Views: 3
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