IBM AIX/PowerVM VIOS null pointer dereference

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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Current Exploit Price (≈)
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CTI Interest Score
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7.0$0-$5k1.29

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability has been found in IBM AIX and PowerVM VIOS and classified as critical. This impacts an unknown function. The manipulation leads to null pointer dereference. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2026-16846. The attack is possible to be carried out remotely. No exploit exists.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in IBM AIX and PowerVM VIOS (the affected version unknown). This issue affects an unknown part. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a null pointer dereference vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-476. A NULL pointer dereference occurs when the application dereferences a pointer that it expects to be valid, but is NULL, typically causing a crash or exit. Impacted is availability. The summary by CVE is:

IBM AIX 7.2, and 7.3 and IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1 could allow a remote attacker to cause a denial of service due to a null pointer dereference.

It is possible to read the advisory at ibm.com. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2026-16846 since 07/24/2026. The exploitation is known to be easy. The attack may be initiated remotely. No form of authentication is needed for a successful exploitation. The technical details are unknown and an exploit is not publicly available. The pricing for an exploit might be around USD $0-$5k at the moment (estimation calculated on 08/19/2026).

There is no information about possible countermeasures known. It may be suggested to replace the affected object with an alternative product.

Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

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Vendor

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License

Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 7.0
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 7.0

VulDB Base Score: 7.5
VulDB Temp Score: 7.5
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CNA Base Score: 6.5
CNA Vector (ibm): 🔒

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
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VulDB Base Score: 🔒
VulDB Temp Score: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Null pointer dereference
CWE: CWE-476 / CWE-404
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔒
Status: Not defined
Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔒

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Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: no mitigation known
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Timelineinfo

07/24/2026 CVE reserved
08/19/2026 +26 days Advisory disclosed
08/19/2026 +0 days VulDB entry created
08/19/2026 +0 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: ibm.com

Advisory: ibm.com
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2026-16846 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-16846
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-393347

Entryinfo

Created: 08/19/2026 22:01
Changes: 08/19/2026 22:01 (61)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.

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