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 improper authentication.
Published: 2026-08-20
Score: 8.1 High
EPSS: < 1% Very Low
KEV: No
Impact: n/a
Action: n/a
AI Analysis

Impact

The flaw arises from improper authentication mechanisms in IBM AIX 7.2, 7.3 and IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1, enabling a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code. The vulnerability allows unauthorized code execution, potentially compromising confidentiality, integrity and availability of the affected systems. It is categorized as CWE‑287, indicating weaknesses in authentication.

Affected Systems

Affected products include IBM AIX 7.2 and 7.3, as well as IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1 across all service pack or fix pack levels below the remediation thresholds listed. Recommended fixes are the AIX Service Pack SP2 for AIX 7.3 TL04, SP3 for TL03, SP5 for TL02, and SP13 for AIX 7.2 TL05, as well as the PowerVM VIOS Fix Packs 4.1.2.20 for VIOS 4.1.2, 4.1.1.30 for VIOS 4.1.1 and 4.1.0.50 for VIOS 4.1.0. All cumulative updates also include prior vulnerability fixes.

Risk and Exploitability

The CVSS score of 8.1 reflects a high severity level. EPSS data is not available, but the vulnerability is not listed in the CISA KEV catalogue, indicating no known public exploits yet. However, the description explicitly claims remote execution capabilities, so the attack vector is inferred to be remote. Exploitation requires bypassing authentication controls, after which an attacker can run arbitrary code with system privileges. The lack of public exploitation reports suggests this risk is primarily theoretical, yet the potential impact warrants immediate action.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on August 20, 2026 at 23:51 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 install the latest IBM AIX Service Pack that satisfies the remediation levels (for example, AIX 7.3 TL04 SP2 or any newer SP for the affected AIX version) following the official APAR instructions.
  • Download and apply the applicable IBM PowerVM VIOS Fix Pack (4.1.2.20 for VIOS 4.1.2, 4.1.1.30 for VIOS 4.1.1 or 4.1.0.50 for VIOS 4.1.0) using nimsh secure, and complete the mandatory post‑update steps outlined by IBM.
  • Reboot the LPAR after applying the patches (Live Update on AIX can be used to avoid a reboot) and, if running VIOS 4.1.0 or 4.1.1, migrate to PostgreSQL 15 using the provided migration guides.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on August 20, 2026 at 23:51 UTC.

Tracking

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Advisories

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History

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 14:15:00 +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

Fri, 21 Aug 2026 16:30:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

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

Thu, 20 Aug 2026 22:00:00 +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 improper authentication.
Title Vulnerabilities in IBM AIX and PowerVM VIOS
First Time appeared Ibm
Ibm aix
Ibm powervm Vios
Weaknesses CWE-287
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': 8.1, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/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: 2026-08-25T03:55:58.833Z

Reserved: 2026-07-24T09:29:47.662Z

Link: CVE-2026-17000

cve-icon Vulnrichment

Updated: 2026-08-21T15:44:00.593Z

cve-icon NVD

Status : Analyzed

Published: 2026-08-20T22:17:10.813

Modified: 2026-08-25T13:58:45.030

Link: CVE-2026-17000

cve-icon Redhat

No data.

cve-icon OpenCVE Enrichment

Updated: 2026-08-21T04:15:04Z

Weaknesses