Description
IBM AIX 7.2, and 7.3 and IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1 could allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code due to a heap buffer overflow.
Published: 2026-08-19
Score: 8.8 High
EPSS: < 1% Very Low
KEV: No
Impact: n/a
Action: n/a
AI Analysis

Impact

A heap buffer overflow in IBM AIX 7.2, 7.3 and PowerVM VIOS 4.1 allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code, potentially compromising confidentiality, integrity and availability of the affected systems. The flaw can be triggered through specially crafted input to a vulnerable component that allocates heap memory without proper bounds checking.

Affected Systems

IBM AIX servers running version 7.2 and 7.3 up through service pack 7.2 TL05 SP13, 7.3 TL04 SP2, 7.3 TL03 SP3, and 7.3 TL02 SP5 are vulnerable. IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1.0, 4.1.1 and 4.1.2 appliances, including fix pack levels 4.1.0.50, 4.1.1.30 and 4.1.2.20, are affected.

Risk and Exploitability

The CVSS score of 8.8 indicates high severity, and the EPSS score is currently not available, meaning the exploitation probability is not quantified. The vulnerability is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog. The flaw is inferred to be exploitable remotely via network traffic that can reach the vulnerable process, and a successful exploitation would provide the attacker with full system control. Rebooting the LPAR is required after applying the service pack or fix pack to complete the update.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on August 20, 2026 at 12:04 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

  • Download and apply the latest IBM AIX Service Pack or PowerVM VIOS Fix Pack from Fix Central (e.g., AIX 7.3 TL04 SP2 or higher; VIOS 4.1.2.20 or higher), ensuring all cumulative patches are applied.
  • Reboot the LPAR to finalize the update; use Live Update on AIX to avoid a reboot if supported.
  • For VIOS 4.1.0 and 4.1.1, follow IBM’s post‑update instructions to migrate to Postgres15 (see provided links) to complete remediation.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on August 20, 2026 at 12:04 UTC.

Tracking

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Advisories

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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

Thu, 20 Aug 2026 17:30:00 +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 code due to a heap buffer overflow.
Title Vulnerabilities in IBM AIX and PowerVM VIOS
First Time appeared Ibm
Ibm aix
Ibm powervm Vios
Weaknesses CWE-787
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: 2026-08-22T03:55:43.436Z

Reserved: 2026-07-24T03:12:52.946Z

Link: CVE-2026-16847

cve-icon Vulnrichment

Updated: 2026-08-20T15:50:45.290Z

cve-icon NVD

Status : Analyzed

Published: 2026-08-19T20:17:06.143

Modified: 2026-08-24T16:01:33.513

Link: CVE-2026-16847

cve-icon Redhat

No data.

cve-icon OpenCVE Enrichment

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

Weaknesses