CVE-2026-16991: CWE-269 Improper Privilege Management in IBM AIX
CVE-2026-16991 is a high-severity vulnerability in IBM AIX versions 7.2 and 7.3, as well as IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1. It involves improper privilege management due to incorrect handling of symbolic links, which could allow a local attacker to gain elevated privileges without user interaction.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
This vulnerability, identified as CWE-269 (Improper Privilege Management), affects IBM AIX 7.2 and 7.3 and IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1. The flaw arises from improper handling of symbolic links, enabling a local attacker with limited privileges to escalate their privileges on the affected systems. The CVSS v3.1 score is 7.8, indicating high severity, with impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. No official patch or remediation level has been published yet, and no known exploits are reported in the wild.
Potential Impact
A local attacker with some privileges could exploit this vulnerability to gain elevated privileges, potentially leading to full system compromise. The impact affects confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected systems.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix is available, restrict local access to trusted users only and monitor for suspicious activity related to symbolic link usage.
CVE-2026-16991: CWE-269 Improper Privilege Management in IBM AIX
Description
CVE-2026-16991 is a high-severity vulnerability in IBM AIX versions 7.2 and 7.3, as well as IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1. It involves improper privilege management due to incorrect handling of symbolic links, which could allow a local attacker to gain elevated privileges without user interaction.
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
This vulnerability, identified as CWE-269 (Improper Privilege Management), affects IBM AIX 7.2 and 7.3 and IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1. The flaw arises from improper handling of symbolic links, enabling a local attacker with limited privileges to escalate their privileges on the affected systems. The CVSS v3.1 score is 7.8, indicating high severity, with impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. No official patch or remediation level has been published yet, and no known exploits are reported in the wild.
Potential Impact
A local attacker with some privileges could exploit this vulnerability to gain elevated privileges, potentially leading to full system compromise. The impact affects confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected systems.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix is available, restrict local access to trusted users only and monitor for suspicious activity related to symbolic link usage.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- ibm
- Date Reserved
- 2026-07-24T08:50:35.568Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Remediation Level
- null
Threat ID: 6a877782acd9273b492c5d3f
Added to database: 08/20/2026, 21:54:10 UTC
Last enriched: 08/20/2026, 22:54:16 UTC
Last updated: 08/21/2026, 00:12:06 UTC
Views: 3
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