CVE-2026-17165: CWE-476 NULL Pointer Dereference in IBM AIX
A NULL pointer dereference vulnerability exists in IBM AIX versions 7.2 and 7.3, as well as IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1, which could allow a remote attacker to cause a denial of service. The vulnerability is identified as CVE-2026-17165 and is classified under CWE-476. It has a high severity with a CVSS score of 7.5. No official patch or remediation guidance has been provided yet.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
CVE-2026-17165 is a vulnerability in IBM AIX 7.2 and 7.3, and IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1, where a remote attacker can trigger a NULL pointer dereference, leading to a denial of service condition. The vulnerability does not impact confidentiality or integrity but causes service disruption. The CVSS 3.1 vector indicates it is remotely exploitable without privileges or user interaction, with low attack complexity.
Potential Impact
The vulnerability allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service by crashing the affected system through a NULL pointer dereference. There is no impact on confidentiality or integrity according to the CVSS vector. This can result in service unavailability 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 temporary workaround has been published at this time.
CVE-2026-17165: CWE-476 NULL Pointer Dereference in IBM AIX
Description
A NULL pointer dereference vulnerability exists in IBM AIX versions 7.2 and 7.3, as well as IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1, which could allow a remote attacker to cause a denial of service. The vulnerability is identified as CVE-2026-17165 and is classified under CWE-476. It has a high severity with a CVSS score of 7.5. No official patch or remediation guidance has been provided yet.
CVSS v3.1
Score 7.5high
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
CVE-2026-17165 is a vulnerability in IBM AIX 7.2 and 7.3, and IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1, where a remote attacker can trigger a NULL pointer dereference, leading to a denial of service condition. The vulnerability does not impact confidentiality or integrity but causes service disruption. The CVSS 3.1 vector indicates it is remotely exploitable without privileges or user interaction, with low attack complexity.
Potential Impact
The vulnerability allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service by crashing the affected system through a NULL pointer dereference. There is no impact on confidentiality or integrity according to the CVSS vector. This can result in service unavailability 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 temporary workaround has been published at this time.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- ibm
- Date Reserved
- 2026-07-24T18:00:41.154Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Remediation Level
- null
Threat ID: 6a877ac5acd9273b493025b8
Added to database: 08/20/2026, 22:08:05 UTC
Last enriched: 08/20/2026, 22:23:46 UTC
Last updated: 08/20/2026, 22:32:19 UTC
Views: 2
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