CVE-2026-17171

Arbitrary file overwrite via symbolic link following

Published Aug 20, 2026 · Updated Aug 25, 2026

Link following in IBM AIX 7.2 and 7.3 and PowerVM VIOS 4.1 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files through symbolic links. An undisclosed file-access operation resolves an attacker-controlled symbolic link before writing, causing the write to follow the link to its target. Low-privilege local access is required; the overwrite can alter protected data, but IBM does not identify the affected component or disclose a privilege-escalation path.

CVSS severity7.8
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

Link following in IBM AIX 7.2 and 7.3 and PowerVM VIOS 4.1 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files through symbolic links. An undisclosed file-access operation resolves an attacker-controlled symbolic link before writing, causing the write to follow the link to its target. Low-privilege local access is required; the overwrite can alter protected data, but IBM does not identify the affected component or disclose a privilege-escalation path.

The record

CVE
CVE-2026-17171
Published
Aug 20, 2026
Updated
Aug 25, 2026
Vendor
IBM
Product
AIX
Classifications
CWE-59, T1565.001
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Aug 20, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 25, 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

7.8IBMCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/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)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-59Improper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following')
T1565.001Stored Data Manipulation

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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