CVE-2026-16849
An attacker can exploit multiple vulnerabilities in IBM AIX and IBM VIOS to execute arbitrary code, elevate privileges, conduct a denial of service attack, disclose information, manipulate files, and bypass security measures.
CSIRTS triage
- What
- Multiple vulnerabilities in IBM AIX and VIOS enable arbitrary code execution, privilege escalation, denial-of-service, information disclosure, file manipulation, and security bypass.
- Who is affected
- Organizations running IBM AIX and VIOS systems are affected across multiple impact vectors.
- Urgency
- High severity with multiple critical attack paths including RCE and privilege escalation; immediate patching required.
- Action
- Apply IBM security patches for all listed CVEs (CVE-2025-12817, CVE-2025-12818, CVE-2025-15649, CVE-2026-12087, CVE-2026-14970, CVE-2026-15061, CVE-2026-15065, CVE-2026-15068).
AI-assisted analysis generated from the source advisory — verify against the original.
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Exploitation outlook
- Low exploitation risk0.28% 30-day exploitation probability — currently an unlikely target, but scores change as exploit code circulates. Riskier than 21% of all EPSS-scored CVEs.
Advisory coverage (4)
- unknownNCSC-2026-0321 [1.00] [M/H] Multiple vulnerabilities fixed in IBM AIX and IBM PowerVM VIOSncsc-nl · 2026-08-21
- high[NEW] [high] IBM AIX and VIOS: Multiple vulnerabilitiescert-bund · 2026-08-21
- unknownexploitedMultiple vulnerabilities in IBM products (August 21, 2026)cert-fr-avis · 2026-08-21
- mediumCVE-2026-16849: IBM AIX 7.2, and 7.3 and IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1 could allow a remote attacker to cause a denial …nvd · 2026-08-19
External references
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