CVE-2026-17009: CWE-476 NULL Pointer Dereference in IBM AIX
Description
CVE-2026-17009 is a vulnerability in IBM AIX versions 7.2 and 7.3, and IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1, where a local attacker can cause a denial of service by triggering a NULL pointer dereference. This issue does not impact confidentiality or integrity but affects availability. The vulnerability requires local access with low privileges and high attack complexity. No public exploits are known, and no patch information is provided.
CVSS v3.1
Score 4.7medium
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-2026-17009) involves a NULL pointer dereference in IBM AIX 7.2, 7.3, and IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1. A local attacker with low privileges could exploit this flaw to cause a denial of service condition, crashing or disrupting the affected system. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 4.7, indicating medium severity, with no impact on confidentiality or integrity, only availability. The attack complexity is high, and no user interaction is required.
Potential Impact
The impact is a denial of service affecting system availability. There is no impact on confidentiality or integrity. The attacker must have local access and low privileges, and the attack complexity is high, reducing the likelihood of exploitation. No known exploits are currently in the wild.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until a patch or official fix is available, restrict local access to trusted users only to mitigate risk. Monitor IBM advisories for updates regarding fixes or workarounds.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- ibm
- Date Reserved
- 2026-07-24T10:03:36.587Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
Threat ID: 6a877785acd9273b492c5dfd
Added to database: 08/20/2026, 21:54:13 UTC
Last enriched: 09/11/2026, 03:49:05 UTC
Last updated: 10/05/2026, 06:48:14 UTC
Views: 42
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