CVE-2026-96265

Arbitrary memory access via service processor mailbox messages

Published Oct 12, 2026 · Updated Oct 12, 2026

Memory access flaws in IBM PowerVM Hypervisor allow local users to read or modify Hostboot memory via crafted service processor messages. In FW1060.00 through FW1060.81, the FSP mailbox interface accepts crafted messages that access arbitrary Hostboot memory regions. Authenticated service-level FSP access is required, and the memory operations compromise the firmware boot stack and subsequently loaded hypervisor; the specific form of service interruption is not disclosed.

CVSS severity8.2
High
EPSS probability0.17%
Next 30 days · Oct 19, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Memory access flaws in IBM PowerVM Hypervisor allow local users to read or modify Hostboot memory via crafted service processor messages. In FW1060.00 through FW1060.81, the FSP mailbox interface accepts crafted messages that access arbitrary Hostboot memory regions. Authenticated service-level FSP access is required, and the memory operations compromise the firmware boot stack and subsequently loaded hypervisor; the specific form of service interruption is not disclosed.

The record

CVE
CVE-2026-96265
Published
Oct 12, 2026
Updated
Oct 12, 2026
Vendor
IBM
Product
PowerVM Hypervisor
Classifications
CWE-119, T1068
Attack vector
local
Privileges
admin

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Oct 12, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Oct 12, 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=FW1060.00 <=FW1060.81

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesadmin

What is affected?

IBM · PowerVM Hypervisorversion=FW1060.00 <=FW1060.81

Published CVSS scores

8.2IBMCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/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.

Activity data is delayed. The latest report is Sep 28, 2026.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 22, 2026Sep 28, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 28, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesadmin
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-119Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer
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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