CVE-2026-16869: 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 execute arbitrary code due to improperly scrubbed environment variables.

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 PowerVM VIOS to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 4.1.0.50Patch key_w_apar7.3.2IJ5956508/14/2026
Upgrade
Upgrade PowerVM VIOS to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 4.1.1.30Patch key_w_apar7.3.3IJ5956408/14/2026
Upgrade
Upgrade PowerVM VIOS to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 4.1.2.20Patch key_w_apar7.3.4IJ59563
Operational
Reboot the LPAR to complete the SP/FP update (AIX/VIOS).
Operational
If you are on VIOS 4.1.0 or VIOS 4.1.1, perform the additional required steps to migrate to the latest Postgres15 after applying the 4.1.0.50 or 4.1.1.30 FPs.
Operational
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.

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·07:40 PM

Data Sourced

via MITRE·07:40 PM

RemedyDescriptionSeverityWeakness

Data Sourced

via NVD·08:17 PM

RemedyDescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software

Parent advisories

This vulnerability appears in the following advisories.

IBM-7283858

CVE-2026-16869: Vulnerabilities in IBM AIX and PowerVM VIOS

Affected Software

Remediation

Event History

Parent advisories

Company

Resources

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