Remote code execution via heap buffer overflow
Published Aug 19, 2026 · Updated Aug 20, 2026
Heap buffer overflow in IBM AIX 7.2 and 7.3 and PowerVM VIOS 4.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code over a network. IBM has not disclosed the affected component, the network input that reaches it, or the erroneous memory operation that writes beyond the heap allocation. No authentication or user interaction is required, and successful exploitation gives attacker-controlled code the privileges of the affected process.
Summary
What happened
Heap buffer overflow in IBM AIX 7.2 and 7.3 and PowerVM VIOS 4.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code over a network. IBM has not disclosed the affected component, the network input that reaches it, or the erroneous memory operation that writes beyond the heap allocation. No authentication or user interaction is required, and successful exploitation gives attacker-controlled code the privileges of the affected process.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2026-16845
- Published
- Aug 19, 2026
- Updated
- Aug 20, 2026
- Vendor
- IBM
- Product
- AIX
- Classifications
- CWE-787
- Attack vector
- network
- Privileges
- unauthenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Aug 19, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- 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.
- Affected versionversion=7.2
- Affected versionversion=7.3
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
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.
Weakness, pattern, technique
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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