# CVE-2026-14971: IBM PowerVM Novalink API misconfiguration

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-14971-ibm-powervm-novalink-api-misconfiguration  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-07-17. Updated: 2026-07-17  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-14971 · Severity: low · CVSS 3.9 · Published 2026-07-17

IBM PowerVM NovaLink is a management tool used to scale and manage virtualization on IBM Power systems. A configuration issue in its programming interfaces (APIs) could allow a highly privileged user to perform unauthorized operations or access restricted data under specific non-default conditions. While the risk is low due to the high level of access required to exploit it, organizations should apply the provided updates to ensure the integrity of their virtualization management layer.

Technologies: [IBM PowerVM NovaLink](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/novalink). Vendors: [IBM](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/ibm).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-14971 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-14971 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-14971?** Low severity, with a CVSS score of 3.9, published 17 July 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** IBM PowerVM NovaLink 2.2.0, 2.2.1, 2.2.1.1, 2.3.0, 2.3.0.1, 2.3.1, 2.3.2.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-14971?** No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.

**How is CVE-2026-14971 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in a network appliance.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-14971?** Check whether you run IBM PowerVM NovaLink at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## Technical details

A configuration vulnerability (CWE-16) exists in the IBM NovaLink APIs within PowerVM NovaLink versions 2.2.x and 2.3.x. The flaw is rooted in an API misconfiguration that, under non-default conditions, expands the attack surface. An attacker with high privileges and local access to the system could exploit this to perform unauthorized operations. The complexity of the attack is high, requiring specific environmental conditions to be met. IBM has released updates for the pvm-novalink package to remediate this issue.

## Affected products

- IBM PowerVM Novalink 2.2.0, 2.2.1, 2.2.1.1, 2.3.0, 2.3.0.1, 2.3.1, 2.3.2

## Timeline

- 2026-07-16: advisory: Initial publication by IBM
- 2026-07-17: disclosed: NVD publication date

## References

- [https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/7280225](https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/7280225)

## Related threats

- [IBM PowerVM Novalink denial of service via memory exhaustion](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-9171-ibm-powervm-novalink-denial-of-service-via-memory-exhaustion)