CVE-2026-16882Network attack vector

Unauthenticated command execution via OS command injection

Published Aug 19, 2026 · Updated Aug 21, 2026

OS command injection in IBM AIX 7.2 and 7.3 and PowerVM VIOS 4.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands. IBM identifies improper neutralization of special elements in an OS command, but does not disclose the affected service, request field, or code locus. No authentication or user interaction is required over the network, and successful exploitation grants command execution with the vulnerable service's privileges.

CVSS severity9.8
Critical
EPSS probability0.55%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

OS command injection in IBM AIX 7.2 and 7.3 and PowerVM VIOS 4.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands. IBM identifies improper neutralization of special elements in an OS command, but does not disclose the affected service, request field, or code locus. No authentication or user interaction is required over the network, and successful exploitation grants command execution with the vulnerable service's privileges.

The record

CVE
CVE-2026-16882
Published
Aug 19, 2026
Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Vendor
IBM
Product
AIX
Classifications
CWE-78, T1059
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Aug 19, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 21, 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 privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

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

Published CVSS scores

9.8IBMCVSS:3.1/AV:N/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 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-78Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')
T1059Command and Scripting Interpreter

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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