# CVE-2026-19446: IBM AIX and PowerVM VIOS RPC DoS via malformed UDP packet

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-19446-ibm-aix-and-powervm-vios-rpc-dos-via-malformed-udp-packet  
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-2026-19446 · Severity: high · CVSS 7.5 · Published 2026-08-20

IBM AIX and PowerVM VIOS are operating systems used to run critical business applications and virtualized workloads on Power Systems servers. A remote attacker can send a specially crafted UDP packet to an exposed RPC service, causing the entire system to become unavailable and requiring a manual restart. This vulnerability allows anyone on the network to disrupt operations without needing valid credentials.

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-2026-19446 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-19446 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-19446?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 7.5, 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-2026-19446?** 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-2026-19446 attacked?** It is attacked over the network.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-19446?** 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

This vulnerability is a remote denial-of-service (DoS) condition in the RPC service component of IBM AIX 7.2, 7.3, and PowerVM VIOS 4.1. An unauthenticated attacker can craft a malformed UDP packet targeting a reachable RPC endpoint, triggering a crash or hang that renders the system completely unavailable and requires an LPAR (logical partition) restart to recover. The attack vector is network-based with no authentication required, making it broadly exploitable if RPC services are exposed. Patches 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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