CVE-2026-96266: CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow in IBM PowerVM Hypervisor
Description
IBM Power Systems Firmware versions FW1060.00 through FW1060.81 contain a stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability in the host firmware configuration parsing. An attacker with authenticated service-level access to the Flexible Service Processor (FSP) can exploit this flaw by writing crafted configuration data, causing memory corruption during the system Initial Program Load (IPL). This compromises the host firmware boot stack and the subsequently loaded PowerVM hypervisor, impacting confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the managed system.
CVSS v3.1
Score 8.2high
Affected software
IBM
PowerVM Hypervisor
cpe:2.3:a:ibm:powervm_hypervisor:fw1060.00:*:*:*:*:*:*:*cpe:2.3:a:ibm:powervm_hypervisor:fw1060.00.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*cpe:2.3:a:ibm:powervm_hypervisor:fw1060.81:*:*:*:*:*:*:*cpe:2.3:a:ibm:powervm_hypervisor:fw1060.81.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*Weaknesses
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
CVE-2026-96266 is a stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability (CWE-121) affecting IBM Power Systems Firmware versions FW1060.00 through FW1060.81. The flaw exists in the host firmware configuration parsing logic. An attacker with authenticated service-level access to the FSP can supply specially crafted configuration data that triggers memory corruption during the host firmware boot stage at system IPL. This corruption compromises the boot stack and the PowerVM hypervisor loaded afterward, leading to a complete compromise of the managed system's confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation allows an attacker with authenticated service-level access to cause memory corruption in the host firmware boot stage, compromising the boot stack and the PowerVM hypervisor. This results in a high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system, potentially allowing full control or disruption of the managed environment.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix is available, restrict authenticated service-level access to the Flexible Service Processor (FSP) to trusted personnel only and monitor for any unauthorized configuration changes.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- ibm
- Date Reserved
- 2026-09-22T20:16:36.007Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
Threat ID: 6acd4b482cdf04f656d3ef7b
Added to database: 10/12/2026, 21:04:08 UTC
Last enriched: 10/12/2026, 21:18:19 UTC
Last updated: 10/12/2026, 21:19:03 UTC
Views: 7
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