# CVE-2026-17142: IBM AIX and PowerVM VIOS NIM authentication bypass

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-17142-ibm-aix-and-powervm-vios-nim-authentication-bypass  
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-2026-17142 · Severity: critical · CVSS 9.8 · Published 2026-08-20

IBM AIX and PowerVM VIOS are enterprise operating systems and virtualization platforms used to manage critical business infrastructure. A remote attacker can bypass authentication through improper credential handling, potentially allowing unauthorized access and arbitrary command execution on systems running these operating systems.

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-2026-17142 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-17142 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-17142?** 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-2026-17142?** 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-2026-17142 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in an operating system.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-17142?** 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

CVE-2026-17142 represents a critical authentication bypass vulnerability in IBM AIX 7.2, 7.3, and IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1. The vulnerability stems from improper authentication handling that allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands without valid credentials. The attack is network-accessible with no authentication or user interaction required, as indicated by the 9.8 CVSS score and network attack vector. Security patches have been announced and are available through IBM service packs and fix packs.

## 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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