Description
IBM AIX 7.2, and 7.3 and IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1 could allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary commands due to improper neutralization of special elements used in an OS command.
Published: 2026-08-19
Score: 8.8 High
EPSS: < 1% Very Low
KEV: No
Impact: n/a
Action: n/a
AI Analysis

Impact

The vulnerability allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary commands on IBM AIX 7.2 and 7.3 or IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1 by supply of specially crafted input that is not properly neutralized before being passed to the operating system command interpreter. This flaw gives the attacker full control over the affected machine, enabling data theft, modification, or denial of service.

Affected Systems

IBM AIX versions 7.2 (service packs up to SP13) and 7.3 (service packs up to TL04 SP2, TL03 SP3, TL02 SP5, TL05 SP13) are affected. IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1 series – 4.1.0, 4.1.1, and 4.1.2 – are also impacted; the specific fix packs are 4.1.0 → 4.1.0.50, 4.1.1 → 4.1.1.30, and 4.1.2 → 4.1.2.20.

Risk and Exploitability

The CVSS score of 8.8 reflects a high severity RCE risk. The EPSS score is not available, and the vulnerability is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog, indicating no publicly documented exploit at this time. The attack vector is remote; an external user with network access to the affected system can deliver the crafted input through interfaces that invoke OS commands, resulting in full control of the target.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on August 20, 2026 at 12:06 UTC.

Remediation

Vendor Solution

A.  APARS IBM has assigned the following APARs to this problem: AIX LevelAPARAvailability  SPKEY7.2.5IJ5956608/14/2026SP13key_w_apar7.3.2IJ5956508/14/2026SP05key_w_apar7.3.3IJ5956408/14/2026SP03key_w_apar7.3.4IJ59563 08/14/2026SP02key_w_apar VIOS LevelAPARAvailability SPKEY4.1.0IJ5956508/14/20264.1.0.50key_w_apar4.1.1IJ5956408/14/20264.1.1.30key_w_apar4.1.2IJ5956308/14/20264.1.2.20key_w_apar B.  FIXES IBM strongly recommends addressing the vulnerability now.  AIX and VIOS fixes are available and can be downloaded from Fix Central: https://www.ibm.com/support/fixcentral  An LPAR reboot is required to complete the SP/FP update. On AIX, Live Update can be used to avoid a reboot.  IBM has assigned the following AIX Service Packs (SPs) and VIOS Fix Packs (FPs) as the remediation levels for the published vulnerabilities. AIX Level Service PackAIX 7.3 TL04SP2AIX 7.3 TL03SP3AIX 7.3 TL02SP5AIX 7.2 TL05 SP13 PowerVM VIOS LevelFix PackVIOS 4.1.2 4.1.2.20VIOS 4.1.1 4.1.1.30VIOS 4.1.0  4.1.0.50 Note: These SPs/FPs are cumulative and include fixes for all previously published AIX/VIOS security vulnerabilities. They can be applied on top of any earlier affected level of the TL . Note: To apply these patches using nimsh secure, special steps must be taken as the protocol between master and client is updated to be more secure. Please read this article: https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/7283157 Note: For VIOS 4.1.0 and VIOS 4.1.1, additional steps are required to migrate to the latest Postgres15 after applying the 4.1.1.30 or 4.1.0.50 FPs above. Instructions to do that can be found here:                             4.1.0.50 post-update instructions: https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/7283819           4.1.1.30 post-update instructions: https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/7283823

OpenCVE Recommended Actions

  • Apply the latest IBM AIX service pack or cumulative fix pack (e.g., AIX 7.2 TL05 SP13 or AIX 7.3 TL04 SP2) to address the flaw.
  • Update IBM PowerVM VIOS to the corresponding fix pack (e.g., VIOS 4.1.0 → 4.1.0.50, VIOS 4.1.1 → 4.1.1.30, or VIOS 4.1.2 → 4.1.2.20).
  • Reboot the LPAR after the SP/FP update; for AIX, use Live Update if available to avoid a reboot.
  • When using nimsh secure for patching, follow IBM’s updated protocol guidelines to ensure secure communication.
  • For VIOS 4.1.0 and 4.1.1, after applying the FPs, perform the migration to Postgres 15 as described in IBM’s post‑update instructions.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on August 20, 2026 at 12:06 UTC.

Tracking

Sign in to view the affected projects.

Advisories

No advisories yet.

History

Mon, 24 Aug 2026 16:15:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Ibm vios
CPEs cpe:2.3:a:ibm:vios:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:ibm:aix:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Vendors & Products Ibm vios

Sat, 22 Aug 2026 04:30:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'total'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Wed, 19 Aug 2026 19:45:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description IBM AIX 7.2, and 7.3 and IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1 could allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary commands due to improper neutralization of special elements used in an OS command.
Title Vulnerabilities in IBM AIX and PowerVM VIOS
First Time appeared Ibm
Ibm aix
Ibm powervm Vios
Weaknesses CWE-78
CPEs cpe:2.3:a:ibm:aix:7.2.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:ibm:aix:7.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:ibm:aix:7.3.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:ibm:aix:7.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:ibm:powervm_vios:4.1.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:ibm:powervm_vios:4.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Vendors & Products Ibm
Ibm aix
Ibm powervm Vios
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 8.8, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'}

Subscriptions

Ibm Aix Powervm Vios Vios
cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: ibm

Published:

Updated: 2026-08-22T03:55:47.796Z

Reserved: 2026-07-24T03:07:05.630Z

Link: CVE-2026-16844

cve-icon Vulnrichment

Updated: 2026-08-21T16:13:34.778Z

cve-icon NVD

Status : Analyzed

Published: 2026-08-19T20:17:05.670

Modified: 2026-08-24T16:02:13.490

Link: CVE-2026-16844

cve-icon Redhat

No data.

cve-icon OpenCVE Enrichment

Updated: 2026-08-20T12:15:03Z

Weaknesses
  • CWE-78

    Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')