Local service interruption via divide-by-zero condition
Published Aug 19, 2026 · Updated Aug 20, 2026
Divide-by-zero in IBM AIX 7.2 and 7.3 and PowerVM VIOS 4.1 allows local users with high privileges to interrupt system availability. IBM maps the flaw to divide by zero and describes an out-of-bounds write, but has not disclosed the affected function, input, or failure sequence. Exploitation requires local access and high privileges; the published impact is limited to denial of service, with no reported data exposure or code execution.
Summary
What happened
Divide-by-zero in IBM AIX 7.2 and 7.3 and PowerVM VIOS 4.1 allows local users with high privileges to interrupt system availability. IBM maps the flaw to divide by zero and describes an out-of-bounds write, but has not disclosed the affected function, input, or failure sequence. Exploitation requires local access and high privileges; the published impact is limited to denial of service, with no reported data exposure or code execution.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2026-16897
- Published
- Aug 19, 2026
- Updated
- Aug 20, 2026
- Vendor
- IBM
- Product
- AIX
- Classifications
- CWE-369
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- admin
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
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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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