CVE-2026-16875: Vulnerabilities in IBM AIX and PowerVM VIOS

Q: What level of access does an attacker need?

The issue is described as exploitable by a local attacker. The provided information does not describe a remote attack path.

Q: Which products are identified as affected?

IBM AIX and IBM PowerVM VIOS are listed as affected software.

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 commands due to shell metacharacter injection.

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/SP2 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in AIX 7.3 TL04SP2
Upgrade
Upgrade IBM AIX 7.3 TL03SP3 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in AIX 7.3 TL03SP3
Upgrade
Upgrade IBM AIX 7.3 TL02SP5 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in AIX 7.3 TL02SP5
Upgrade
Upgrade IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1.0 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 4.1.0.50Patch IJ5956508/14/2026
Upgrade
Upgrade IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1.1 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 4.1.1.30Patch IJ5956408/14/2026
Upgrade
Upgrade IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1.2 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 4.1.2.20Patch IJ5956308/14/2026
Operational
Reboot the LPAR to complete the AIX Service Pack (SP) / VIOS Fix Pack (FP) update.
Operational
If on VIOS 4.1.0 or VIOS 4.1.1, perform the additional post-update steps to migrate to the latest Postgres15 after applying VIOS 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·07:43 PM

Data Sourced

via MITRE·07:43 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

What level of access does an attacker need?

The issue is described as exploitable by a local attacker. The provided information does not describe a remote attack path.

Which products are identified as affected?

IBM AIX and IBM PowerVM VIOS are listed as affected software.

CVE-2026-16875: Vulnerabilities in IBM AIX and PowerVM VIOS

Affected Software

Remediation

Event History

Parent advisories

Frequently Asked Questions

What level of access does an attacker need?

Which products are identified as affected?

Company

Resources

Contact