CVE-2026-18824: Vulnerabilities in IBM AIX and PowerVM VIOS

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

An attacker must be remote and authenticated. The available information does not indicate that unauthenticated attackers can exploit it.

Q: What is the potential impact of successful exploitation?

A successful attacker could execute arbitrary commands on the affected system.

Q: Which products should be assessed for exposure?

Assess IBM AIX systems and IBM PowerVM VIOS systems for this vulnerability.

Published Aug 15, 2026

Updated

IBM AIX 7.2, and 7.3 and IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1 could allow a remote authenticated attacker to execute arbitrary commands due to improper neutralization of special elements used in an OS command.

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 AIX 7.3 TL04 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in SP2
Upgrade
Upgrade AIX 7.3 TL03 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in SP3
Upgrade
Upgrade AIX 7.3 TL02 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in SP5
Upgrade
Upgrade AIX 7.2 TL05 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in SP13
Upgrade
Upgrade PowerVM VIOS 4.1.0 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 4.1.0.50Patch IJ5956508
Upgrade
Upgrade PowerVM VIOS 4.1.1 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 4.1.1.30Patch IJ5956408
Upgrade
Upgrade PowerVM VIOS 4.1.2 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 4.1.2.20Patch IJ5956308
Compensating control
If applying these patches using nimsh secure, take the special steps noted in the IBM instructions because the protocol between master and client is updated to be more secure.
Operational
Reboot the LPAR after applying the AIX Service Pack (SP) / VIOS Fix Pack (FP) update to complete the SP/FP update.
Operational
For VIOS 4.1.0 and VIOS 4.1.1, perform additional steps required to migrate to the latest Postgres15 after applying the 4.1.0.50 or 4.1.1.30 FPs.
Operational
On AIX, Live Update can be used to avoid a reboot.

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·10:01 PM

Data Sourced

via MITRE·10:01 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?

An attacker must be remote and authenticated. The available information does not indicate that unauthenticated attackers can exploit it.

What is the potential impact of successful exploitation?

A successful attacker could execute arbitrary commands on the affected system.

Which products should be assessed for exposure?

Assess IBM AIX systems and IBM PowerVM VIOS systems for this vulnerability.

CVE-2026-18824: 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?

What is the potential impact of successful exploitation?

Which products should be assessed for exposure?

Company

Resources

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