AIX: Improper Certificate Validation
CVE-2026-16822 is a critical-severity improper certificate validation vulnerability in AIX from IBM, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.3 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected AIX versions: 7.2; 7.3. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.25% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.
What to do
- Update Vios to 4.1.0.50 or 4.1.1.30 or 4.1.2.20, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Read the advisory on ibm.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| IBM | AIX | 7.2; 7.3 | Not stated |
| IBM | PowerVM VIOS | 4.1 | Not stated |
| IBM | Vios | 4.1.0 up to, but not including, 4.1.0.50; 4.1.1.0 up to, but not including, 4.1.1.30; 4.1.2.0 up to, but not including, 4.1.2.20 | 4.1.0.50, 4.1.1.30, 4.1.2.20 |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- ChangedThe attack can reach beyond the vulnerable component into other systems.
- Confidentiality
- LowSome restricted data can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- NoneAvailability is not affected.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:H/A:N. Scored by CNA (us.ibm.com).
Official description
IBM AIX 7.2, and 7.3 and IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1 could allow a remote attacker to impersonate the TNC policy server and modify traffic due to improper certificate validation.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Certificate Validation
The product does not validate, or incorrectly validates, a certificate.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Certificates should be carefully managed and checked to assure that data are encrypted with the intended owner's public key.
- If certificate pinning is being used, ensure that all relevant properties of the certificate are fully validated before the certificate is pinned, including the hostname.
More Improper Certificate Validation vulnerabilities (CWE-295)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: yes, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Advisories
Other vulnerabilities in AIX
- 7.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
Recent Improper Certificate Validation vulnerabilities
- 7.4 High severity
- 7.4 High severity
- 9.6 Critical severity
- 8.7 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
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