IBM AIX/PowerVM VIOS 4.1/7.2/7.3 path traversal

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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Current Exploit Price (≈)
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CTI Interest Score
Our Cyber Threat Intelligence team is monitoring different web sites, mailing lists, exploit markets and social media networks. The CTI Interest Score identifies the interest of attackers and the security community for this specific vulnerability in real-time. A high score indicates an elevated risk to be targeted for this vulnerability.
5.3$0-$5k0.95+

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability classified as problematic was found in IBM AIX and PowerVM VIOS 4.1/7.2/7.3. The affected element is an unknown function. The manipulation results in path traversal. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2026-16980. Attacking locally is a requirement. No exploit is available.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as problematic, was found in IBM AIX and PowerVM VIOS 4.1/7.2/7.3. Affected is an unknown function. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a path traversal vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-22. The product uses external input to construct a pathname that is intended to identify a file or directory that is located underneath a restricted parent directory, but the product does not properly neutralize special elements within the pathname that can cause the pathname to resolve to a location that is outside of the restricted directory. This is going to have an impact on integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

IBM AIX 7.2, and 7.3 and IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1 could allow a local attacker to cause a denial of service due to improper validation of symbolic links.

The advisory is shared for download at ibm.com. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2026-16980 since 07/24/2026. The exploitability is told to be easy. The attack needs to be approached locally. There are neither technical details nor an exploit publicly available. The current price for an exploit might be approx. USD $0-$5k (estimation calculated on 08/21/2026). The MITRE ATT&CK project declares the attack technique as T1006.

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

VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

Productinfo

Type

Vendor

Name

Version

License

Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 5.3
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 5.3

VulDB Base Score: 4.4
VulDB Temp Score: 4.4
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CNA Base Score: 6.3
CNA Vector (ibm): 🔒

CVSSv2info

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

Exploitinginfo

Class: Path traversal
CWE: CWE-22
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: No

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
08/20/2026 +27 days VulDB entry created
08/21/2026 +0 days Advisory disclosed
08/21/2026 +0 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: ibm.com

Advisory: ibm.com
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2026-16980 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-16980
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-393960

Entryinfo

Created: 08/21/2026 00:45
Changes: 08/21/2026 00:45 (62)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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