CVE-2026-16989: Vulnerabilities in IBM AIX and PowerVM VIOS

Q: Which systems should be assessed for exposure?

Assess IBM AIX and IBM PowerVM VIOS systems, which are identified as affected software.

Q: What level of access does an attacker need?

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

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 resolution of symbolic links.

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 4.1.0 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 4.1.0.50
Upgrade
Upgrade IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1.1 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 4.1.1.30
Upgrade
Upgrade IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1.2 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 4.1.2.20
Compensating control
Require an LPAR reboot to complete the SP/FP update (explicitly stated as required to complete the update).
Operational
For VIOS 4.1.0 and VIOS 4.1.1, perform the additional steps to migrate to the latest Postgres15 after applying the 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 20, 2026

CVE Published

via MITRE·09:47 PM

Data Sourced

via MITRE·09:47 PM

RemedyDescriptionSeverityWeakness

Data Sourced

via NVD·10:17 PM

RemedyDescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software

Parent advisories

This vulnerability appears in the following advisories.

IBM-7283858

Frequently Asked Questions

Which systems should be assessed for exposure?

Assess IBM AIX and IBM PowerVM VIOS systems, which are identified as affected software.

What level of access does an attacker need?

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

CVE-2026-16989: Vulnerabilities in IBM AIX and PowerVM VIOS

Affected Software

Remediation

Event History

Parent advisories

Frequently Asked Questions

Which systems should be assessed for exposure?

What level of access does an attacker need?

Company

Resources

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