CVE-2026-16850

Arbitrary code execution via crafted Router Advertisements

Published Aug 19, 2026 · Updated Aug 20, 2026

Command injection in IBM AIX 7.2 and 7.3 and PowerVM VIOS 4.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via crafted Router Advertisements. IBM has not published the affected Router Advertisement handler or the operation that incorporates packet data into a command. No authentication or user interaction is required, but the attacker must occupy an adjacent network capable of delivering the crafted advertisements.

CVSS severity8.8
High
EPSS probability0.56%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Command injection in IBM AIX 7.2 and 7.3 and PowerVM VIOS 4.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via crafted Router Advertisements. IBM has not published the affected Router Advertisement handler or the operation that incorporates packet data into a command. No authentication or user interaction is required, but the attacker must occupy an adjacent network capable of delivering the crafted advertisements.

The record

CVE
CVE-2026-16850
Published
Aug 19, 2026
Updated
Aug 20, 2026
Vendor
IBM
Product
AIX
Classifications
CWE-269, T1210
Attack vector
adjacent
Privileges
unauthenticated

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 vectoradjacent
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

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

Published CVSS scores

8.8IBMCVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

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 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectoradjacent
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-269Improper Privilege Management
T1210Exploitation of Remote Services

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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