CVE-2026-16873: Vulnerabilities in IBM AIX and PowerVM VIOS

Q: Which IBM platforms are identified as affected?

The affected software listed is IBM AIX and IBM PowerVM VIOS.

Q: Does an attacker need local access to attempt exploitation?

Yes. The issue is described as allowing a local attacker to escalate privileges.

Published Aug 15, 2026

Updated

IBM AIX 7.2, and 7.3 and IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1 could allow a local attacker to achieve local privilege escalation due to an out-of-bounds write.

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 AIX 7.3 TL04 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in SP2
Upgrade
Upgrade IBM AIX 7.3 TL03 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in SP3
Upgrade
Upgrade IBM AIX 7.3 TL02 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in SP5
Upgrade
Upgrade IBM AIX 7.2 TL05 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in SP13
Upgrade
Upgrade IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1.0 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 4.1.0.50Patch IJ5956508
Upgrade
Upgrade IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1.1 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 4.1.1.30Patch IJ5956408
Upgrade
Upgrade IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1.2 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 4.1.2.20Patch IJ5956308
Upgrade
Upgrade IBM AIX Level to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Patch IJ5956608
Configuration
After applying the AIX Service Pack / VIOS Fix Pack updates, perform an LPAR reboot to complete the SP/FP update (AIX Level/VIOS remediations require reboot to finish).
AIX LPAR reboot requirement for SP/FP update = required
Operational
For VIOS 4.1.0 and 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.

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·07:41 PM

Data Sourced

via MITRE·07:41 PM

RemedyDescriptionSeverityWeakness

Data Sourced

via NVD·08:17 PM

RemedyDescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software

Parent advisories

This vulnerability appears in the following advisories.

IBM-7283858

Frequently Asked Questions

Which IBM platforms are identified as affected?

The affected software listed is IBM AIX and IBM PowerVM VIOS.

Does an attacker need local access to attempt exploitation?

Yes. The issue is described as allowing a local attacker to escalate privileges.

CVE-2026-16873: Vulnerabilities in IBM AIX and PowerVM VIOS

Affected Software

Remediation

Event History

Parent advisories

Frequently Asked Questions

Which IBM platforms are identified as affected?

Does an attacker need local access to attempt exploitation?

Company

Resources

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