# CVE-2026-17122: IBM AIX and PowerVM VIOS stack-based buffer overflow

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-17122-ibm-aix-and-powervm-vios-stack-based-buffer-overflow  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-08-20. Updated: 2026-09-25  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-17122 · Severity: critical · CVSS 9.8 · Published 2026-08-20

IBM AIX and PowerVM VIOS are enterprise operating systems used to run mission-critical business applications on Power Systems infrastructure. A stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code without authentication, potentially gaining full control of affected systems and the applications running on them.

Technologies: [IBM Aix](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/aix), [IBM PowerVM VIOS](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/powervm-vios). Vendors: [IBM](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/ibm).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-17122 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-17122 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-17122?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 9.8, published 20 August 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** IBM Aix 7.2, 7.3; IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-17122?** 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-2026-17122 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in an operating system.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-17122?** Check whether you run IBM Aix or IBM PowerVM VIOS 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 stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability exists in IBM AIX 7.2, 7.3 and IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1 that allows unauthenticated remote code execution. The vulnerability is exploitable over the network without requiring user interaction or elevated privileges. An attacker can leverage the buffer overflow to overwrite the stack and achieve arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the vulnerable process. IBM has released security updates through Service Packs and Fix Packs to remediate this vulnerability; customers should apply these patches immediately.

## Affected products

- IBM AIX 7.2, 7.3
- IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1

## Timeline

- 2026-08-20: disclosed

## References

- [https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/7283858](https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/7283858)

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