CVE-2026-16816
Received Received - Intake

Remote Command Execution in IBM AIX and PowerVM VIOS

Publication date: 2026-08-19

Last updated on: 2026-08-19

Assigner: IBM Corporation

Description
IBM AIX 7.2, and 7.3 and IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1 could allow a remote authenticated attacker to execute arbitrary commands due to improper neutralization of special elements used in an OS command.

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Meta Information

Published
2026-08-19
Last Modified
2026-08-19
Generated
2026-08-19
AI Q&A
2026-08-19
EPSS Evaluated
N/A
NVD
CVE-2026-16816
EUVD
EUVD-2026-62525

Affected Vendors & Products

Showing 3 associated CPEs
Vendor Product Version / Range
ibm aix 7.2
ibm aix 7.3
ibm powervm_vios 4.1

Helpful Resources

Exploitability

CWE
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KEV
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CWE ID Description
CWE-78 The product constructs all or part of an OS command using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the intended OS command when it is sent to a downstream component.

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Executive Summary

This vulnerability in IBM AIX 7.2, 7.3, and IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1 allows a remote authenticated attacker to execute arbitrary commands. It occurs due to improper neutralization of special elements used in an OS command, meaning the system fails to properly filter or sanitize input that could be used to inject malicious commands.

Impact Analysis

An attacker could exploit this to run unauthorized commands on the affected system, potentially leading to full system compromise. This could allow data theft, system disruption, or unauthorized access to sensitive information, depending on the attacker's goals and the system's configuration.

Compliance Impact

This vulnerability could lead to unauthorized access or data breaches, which may violate compliance requirements under GDPR, HIPAA, or other regulations. Organizations using affected systems may face legal penalties, reputational damage, and increased scrutiny for failing to protect sensitive data.

Mitigation Strategies

Apply IBM's official security patches or updates for AIX 7.2, 7.3, and PowerVM VIOS 4.1 immediately. Isolate affected systems if possible and restrict remote authenticated access until patched.

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