CVE-2026-16874: Vulnerabilities in IBM AIX and PowerVM VIOS

Q: Who can exploit this issue?

A local attacker can exploit it. The issue affects IBM AIX and IBM PowerVM VIOS.

Q: What level of access could an attacker gain?

Successful exploitation could allow a local attacker to obtain root privileges.

Q: What control is involved in the vulnerability?

The issue is caused by improper enforcement of RBAC authentication roles.

Published Aug 15, 2026

Updated

IBM AIX 7.2, and 7.3 and IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1 could allow a local attacker to obtain root privileges due to improper enforcement of RBAC authentication roles.

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 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 4.1.0.50Patch key_w_apar
Upgrade
Upgrade IBM PowerVM VIOS to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 4.1.1.30Patch key_w_apar
Upgrade
Upgrade IBM PowerVM VIOS to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 4.1.2.20Patch key_w_apar
Compensating control
For VIOS 4.1.0 and VIOS 4.1.1, perform the additional steps required to migrate to the latest Postgres15 after applying the 4.1.0.50 or 4.1.1.30 FPs.
Operational
Reboot the LPAR after applying the AIX Service Pack (SP) / VIOS Fix Pack (FP) updates to complete the SP/FP update.

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·07:42 PM

Data Sourced

via MITRE·07:42 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

Who can exploit this issue?

A local attacker can exploit it. The issue affects IBM AIX and IBM PowerVM VIOS.

What level of access could an attacker gain?

Successful exploitation could allow a local attacker to obtain root privileges.

What control is involved in the vulnerability?

The issue is caused by improper enforcement of RBAC authentication roles.

CVE-2026-16874: Vulnerabilities in IBM AIX and PowerVM VIOS

Affected Software

Remediation

Event History

Parent advisories

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can exploit this issue?

What level of access could an attacker gain?

What control is involved in the vulnerability?

Company

Resources

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