CVE-2026-16989

Local privilege escalation via improper symbolic-link resolution

Published Aug 20, 2026 · Updated Aug 20, 2026

Improper link resolution in IBM AIX 7.2 and 7.3 and PowerVM VIOS 4.1 allows local users to gain elevated privileges. IBM has not identified the affected component or disclosed which privileged file operation follows an attacker-controlled symbolic link. Low-privilege local access is required, and successful exploitation compromises confidentiality and integrity without reported availability impact.

CVSS severity7.1
High
EPSS probability0.13%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Improper link resolution in IBM AIX 7.2 and 7.3 and PowerVM VIOS 4.1 allows local users to gain elevated privileges. IBM has not identified the affected component or disclosed which privileged file operation follows an attacker-controlled symbolic link. Low-privilege local access is required, and successful exploitation compromises confidentiality and integrity without reported availability impact.

The record

CVE
CVE-2026-16989
Published
Aug 20, 2026
Updated
Aug 20, 2026
Vendor
IBM
Product
AIX
Classifications
CWE-59, T1068
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Aug 20, 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 vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

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

Published CVSS scores

7.1IBMCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N

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)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-59Improper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following')
T1068Exploitation for Privilege Escalation

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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