CVE-2026-16656: Vulnerabilities in IBM AIX and PowerVM VIOS

Q: Who is exposed to this vulnerability?

Systems running IBM AIX or IBM PowerVM VIOS are identified as affected. The issue can be exploited remotely, so network-reachable instances should be prioritized for triage.

Q: What level of access could an attacker obtain?

A remote attacker could gain root privileges due to improper authentication.

Published Aug 15, 2026

Updated

IBM AIX 7.2, and 7.3 and IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1 could allow a remote attacker to gain root privileges due to improper authentication.

Affected Software

10 affected components

IBM AIX<=7.2

IBM AIX<=7.3

IBM PowerVM VIOS<=4.1

IBM VIOS>=4.1.0<4.1.0.50

IBM VIOS>=4.1.1.0<4.1.1.30

IBM VIOS>=4.1.2.0<4.1.2.20

IBM AIX>=7.2.5<=7.2.5.212

IBM AIX>=7.3.2<=7.3.2.5

IBM AIX>=7.3.3<=7.3.3.2

IBM AIX>=7.3.4<=7.3.4.1

Remediation

Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.

Upgrade
Upgrade IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1.0 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 4.1.0.50Patch key_w_apar7.3.2IJ5956508/14/2026
Upgrade
Upgrade IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1.1 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 4.1.1.30Patch key_w_apar7.3.3IJ5956408/14/2026
Upgrade
Upgrade IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1.2 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 4.1.2.20Patch key_w_apar7.3.4IJ59563
Upgrade
Upgrade IBM AIX 7.2 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Patch IJ5956608/14/2026
Upgrade
Upgrade IBM AIX 7.3 TL04 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Patch IJ5956508/14/2026
Upgrade
Upgrade IBM AIX 7.3 TL03 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Patch IJ5956408/14/2026
Upgrade
Upgrade IBM AIX 7.3 TL02 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Patch IJ59563
Operational
Perform an LPAR reboot to complete the SP/FP update.
Operational
For VIOS 4.1.0 and VIOS 4.1.1, complete the additional post-update steps to migrate to the latest Postgres15 after applying the 4.1.0.50 or 4.1.1.30 FPs.

Event History

Aug 15, 2026

CVE Published

via IBM·12:00 AM

Data Sourced

via IBM·12:00 AM

DescriptionAffected Software

Aug 19, 2026

CVE Published

via MITRE·02:55 PM

Data Sourced

via MITRE·02:55 PM

RemedyDescriptionSeverityWeakness

Data Sourced

via NVD·03:16 PM

RemedyDescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software

Parent advisories

This vulnerability appears in the following advisories.

IBM-7283858

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is exposed to this vulnerability?

Systems running IBM AIX or IBM PowerVM VIOS are identified as affected. The issue can be exploited remotely, so network-reachable instances should be prioritized for triage.

What level of access could an attacker obtain?

A remote attacker could gain root privileges due to improper authentication.

CVE-2026-16656: Vulnerabilities in IBM AIX and PowerVM VIOS

Affected Software

Remediation

Event History

Parent advisories

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is exposed to this vulnerability?

What level of access could an attacker obtain?

Company

Resources

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