Local code execution via TOCTOU race
Published Aug 20, 2026 · Updated Aug 21, 2026
Race condition in IBM AIX 7.2/7.3 and IBM PowerVM Virtual I/O Server 4.1 allows local users to execute arbitrary code via filesystem races. IBM's CNA record identifies a time-of-check to time-of-use flaw but does not disclose the affected file path, command, or subsystem that validates a resource and later uses it after an attacker can switch the target. Exploitation requires local access with low privileges and favorable timing, but a successful race can run code in the vulnerable process context and fully compromise the affected host or VIOS partition.
Summary
What happened
Race condition in IBM AIX 7.2/7.3 and IBM PowerVM Virtual I/O Server 4.1 allows local users to execute arbitrary code via filesystem races. IBM's CNA record identifies a time-of-check to time-of-use flaw but does not disclose the affected file path, command, or subsystem that validates a resource and later uses it after an attacker can switch the target. Exploitation requires local access with low privileges and favorable timing, but a successful race can run code in the vulnerable process context and fully compromise the affected host or VIOS partition.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2026-16922
- Published
- Aug 20, 2026
- Updated
- Aug 21, 2026
- Vendor
- OpenBMC Project
- Product
- AIX
- Classifications
- CWE-367, T1068
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- authenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Aug 20, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- 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.
- 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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