CVE-2026-16997: CWE-269 Improper Privilege Management in IBM AIX
Description
CVE-2026-16997 is a high severity vulnerability in IBM AIX 7.2, 7.3, and IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1 involving improper privilege management. It allows a local attacker to execute arbitrary commands due to insufficient privilege controls. The vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 score of 7.8, indicating significant impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. No vendor patch or remediation information is provided in the input data.
CVSS v3.1
Score 7.8high
Affected software
IBM
AIX
IBM
PowerVM VIOS
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 (CVE-2026-16997) affects IBM AIX versions 7.2 and 7.3, as well as IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1. It arises from improper privilege management (CWE-269), which could allow a local attacker to execute arbitrary commands on the affected systems. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 7.8, with attack vector local, low attack complexity, no privileges required, user interaction required, scope unchanged, and high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Potential Impact
A local attacker without privileges can execute arbitrary commands, potentially leading to full system compromise including confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts on affected IBM AIX and PowerVM VIOS systems.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. No official fix or patch information is provided in the available data.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- ibm
- Date Reserved
- 2026-07-24T09:18:53.938Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
Threat ID: 6a877785acd9273b492c5def
Added to database: 08/20/2026, 21:54:13 UTC
Last enriched: 09/10/2026, 21:17:02 UTC
Last updated: 10/05/2026, 06:48:14 UTC
Views: 39
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