CVE-2026-17138: CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow in IBM AIX
CVE-2026-17138 is a high-severity stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability affecting IBM AIX versions 7.2 and 7.3, as well as IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1. This flaw could allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on the affected systems without requiring user interaction. The vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.1, indicating significant impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. No official patch or remediation guidance has been provided yet, and there are no known exploits in the wild at this time.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
IBM AIX 7.2 and 7.3, along with IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1, contain a stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability (CWE-121) that could be exploited remotely to execute arbitrary code. The vulnerability is identified as CVE-2026-17138 and has a CVSS 3.1 score of 8.1, reflecting high impact with network attack vector, high attack complexity, no privileges required, and no user interaction needed. The vulnerability is publicly disclosed but lacks an official fix or patch as of the publication date.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on affected IBM AIX systems and IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1, potentially leading to full system compromise. The CVSS vector indicates high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. There are no known exploits in the wild currently.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix is released, organizations should monitor IBM advisories closely and consider applying any recommended temporary mitigations once available.
CVE-2026-17138: CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow in IBM AIX
Description
CVE-2026-17138 is a high-severity stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability affecting IBM AIX versions 7.2 and 7.3, as well as IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1. This flaw could allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on the affected systems without requiring user interaction. The vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.1, indicating significant impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. No official patch or remediation guidance has been provided yet, and there are no known exploits in the wild at this time.
CVSS v3.1
Score 8.1high
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 stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability (CWE-121) that could be exploited remotely to execute arbitrary code. The vulnerability is identified as CVE-2026-17138 and has a CVSS 3.1 score of 8.1, reflecting high impact with network attack vector, high attack complexity, no privileges required, and no user interaction needed. The vulnerability is publicly disclosed but lacks an official fix or patch as of the publication date.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on affected IBM AIX systems and IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1, potentially leading to full system compromise. The CVSS vector indicates high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. There are no known exploits in the wild currently.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix is released, organizations should monitor IBM advisories closely and consider applying any recommended temporary mitigations once available.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- ibm
- Date Reserved
- 2026-07-24T17:06:35.053Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Remediation Level
- null
Threat ID: 6a877ac3acd9273b4930259a
Added to database: 08/20/2026, 22:08:03 UTC
Last enriched: 08/20/2026, 22:38:29 UTC
Last updated: 08/20/2026, 22:52:09 UTC
Views: 2
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