Track vulnerabilities like this one. Sign up free to get alerted when software you use is affected.
7.8

IBM AIX & PowerVM VIOS allow user to become admin

CVE-2026-16923 · published 2 months ago
Summary

The AIX 7.2 and 7.3 operating systems and PowerVM VIOS 4.1 have a weakness that lets a person with basic access raise their rights to full administrator level. This could let an insider or someone who gains a foothold on the server take control of the system. Apply the latest IBM security patches and review user privileges to limit who can log on locally.

What to do

The CVE record does not list a fixed version. Check the vendor's site or the advisory links below - a fix may already be released.

Affected software
VendorProductAffected versions
ibm aix 7.2
>= 7.2.5, <= 7.2.5.212
>= 7.3.2, <= 7.3.2.5
>= 7.3.3, <= 7.3.3.2
>= 7.3.4, <= 7.3.4.1
ibm powervm vios 4.1
ibm vios >= 4.1.0, < 4.1.0.50
>= 4.1.1.0, < 4.1.1.30
>= 4.1.2.0, < 4.1.2.20
cpe:2.3:a:ibm:vios:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Original advisory text
IBM AIX 7.2, and 7.3 and IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1 could allow a local attacker to gain elevated privileges due to improper privilege management.
IBM AIX 7.2, and 7.3 and IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1 could allow a local attacker to gain elevated privileges due to improper privilege management.
References
Fix within
Internet-facing 14 days
Internal At next upgrade
  • Not known to be exploited
  • Needs hands-on effort to exploit
  • Gives an attacker full control
Severity
7.8 High
Exploitation
<1% chance of attack within 30 days
Type
CWE-269Improper Privilege Management
Timeline
Published20 Aug 2026
Updated26 Oct 2026
First seen20 Aug 2026
Sources
CVE-2026-16923 · NVD
CVE-2026-16923 · MITRE
Track software like this
Free during beta