CVE-2026-16901

Unauthenticated code execution via out-of-bounds write

Published Aug 19, 2026 · Updated Aug 21, 2026

Out-of-bounds write in IBM AIX 7.2 and 7.3 and PowerVM VIOS 4.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code over an adjacent network. IBM has not disclosed the affected routine, malformed input, or operation that writes beyond its intended memory boundary. Exploitation requires no privileges or user interaction, and successful exploitation can fully compromise confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

CVSS severity8.8
High
EPSS probability0.29%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Out-of-bounds write in IBM AIX 7.2 and 7.3 and PowerVM VIOS 4.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code over an adjacent network. IBM has not disclosed the affected routine, malformed input, or operation that writes beyond its intended memory boundary. Exploitation requires no privileges or user interaction, and successful exploitation can fully compromise confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

The record

CVE
CVE-2026-16901
Published
Aug 19, 2026
Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Vendor
IBM
Product
AIX
Classifications
CWE-787, T1210
Attack vector
adjacent
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 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-787Out-of-bounds Write
T1210Exploitation of Remote Services

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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