CVE-2026-16703: Vulnerabilities in IBM AIX and PowerVM VIOS

Published Aug 15, 2026
·
Updated

IBM AIX 7.2, and 7.3 and IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1 could allow a local attacker to gain elevated privileges due to improper privilege management.

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.

  1. Upgrade

    Upgrade IBM PowerVM VIOS to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 4.1.0.50
  2. Upgrade

    Upgrade IBM PowerVM VIOS to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 4.1.1.30Patch key_w_apar4.1.1IJ5956408/14/20264.1.1.30key_w_apar
  3. Upgrade

    Upgrade IBM PowerVM VIOS to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 4.1.2.20Patch key_w_apar4.1.2IJ5956308/14/20264.1.2.20key_w_apar
  4. Compensating control

    If applying AIX/VIOS patches using nimsh secure, use the special steps required because the protocol between master and client is updated to be more secure.

  5. Operational

    After applying the AIX SP/FP update, reboot the LPAR to complete the SP/FP update.

  6. Operational

    For VIOS 4.1.0 and VIOS 4.1.1, perform the additional steps required to migrate to the latest Postgres15 after applying the VIOS 4.1.1.30 or 4.1.0.50 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·02:59 PM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·02:59 PM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityWeakness
Data Sourced
via NVD·03:16 PM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software

Parent advisories

This vulnerability appears in the following advisories.

Frequently Asked Questions

1

Which systems are in scope for this issue?

The issue affects IBM AIX and IBM PowerVM VIOS.

2

What level of access would an attacker need?

Exploitation requires local access to the affected system. A successful attacker could gain elevated privileges.

Contact

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