CVE-2026-15078Network attack vector

Unauthorized access via improper TLS certificate validation

Published Aug 19, 2026 · Updated Aug 20, 2026

Improper certificate validation in NIM for IBM AIX 7.2 and 7.3 and PowerVM VIOS 4.1 allows remote authenticated users to gain unauthorized access. NIM fails to validate TLS certificates correctly when connecting to AIX systems; IBM has not disclosed the exact certificate field or verification path. Low-privileged network access is required, and successful exploitation affects system confidentiality and integrity without interrupting service.

CVSS severity8.1
High
EPSS probability0.23%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Improper certificate validation in NIM for IBM AIX 7.2 and 7.3 and PowerVM VIOS 4.1 allows remote authenticated users to gain unauthorized access. NIM fails to validate TLS certificates correctly when connecting to AIX systems; IBM has not disclosed the exact certificate field or verification path. Low-privileged network access is required, and successful exploitation affects system confidentiality and integrity without interrupting service.

The record

CVE
CVE-2026-15078
Published
Aug 19, 2026
Updated
Aug 20, 2026
Vendor
IBM
Product
AIX
Classifications
CWE-295, T1557
Attack vector
network
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Aug 19, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 20, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=7.2
  2. Affected versionversion=7.3

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

IBM · AIXversion=7.2; version=7.3
IBM · PowerVM Virtual I/O Serverversion=4.1

Published CVSS scores

8.1IBMCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-295Improper Certificate Validation
T1557Adversary-in-the-Middle

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

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Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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