CVE-2026-16997: Vulnerabilities in IBM AIX and PowerVM VIOS

Q: What level of access does an attacker need to exploit this issue?

The issue requires local attacker access.

Q: Which products should be assessed for exposure?

Assess IBM AIX and IBM PowerVM VIOS systems.

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 improper privilege management.

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
If applying VIOS 4.1.0.50 or VIOS 4.1.1.30, perform the additional required steps to migrate to the latest Postgres15 after applying the VIOS FPs.
Operational
Reboot the LPAR after applying the AIX Service Pack (SP) / FP update 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 20, 2026

CVE Published

via MITRE·09:48 PM

Data Sourced

via MITRE·09:48 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

What level of access does an attacker need to exploit this issue?

The issue requires local attacker access.

Which products should be assessed for exposure?

Assess IBM AIX and IBM PowerVM VIOS systems.

CVE-2026-16997: 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 to exploit this issue?

Which products should be assessed for exposure?

Company

Resources

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