AIX: Untrusted Pointer Dereference
CVE-2026-19442 is a high-severity untrusted pointer dereference vulnerability in AIX from IBM, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.8 out of 10. It can be exploited with local access to the system by an attacker with a low-privileged account, 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 0.16% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
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.
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
- LocalThe attacker needs local access or must trick a user into running something.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- LowA basic user account is enough.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- ChangedThe attack can reach beyond the vulnerable component into other systems.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 8.2 | High | CNA (us.ibm.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 8.8 | High | NVD |
Official description
IBM AIX 7.2, and 7.3 and IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1 has a pointer validation flaw exists in the AIX Virtual SCSI (vSCSI) initiator driver. Successful exploitation may result in denial of service, privilege escalation, or full compromise of the client LPAR kernel.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Untrusted Pointer Dereference
The product obtains a value from an untrusted source, converts this value to a pointer, and dereferences the resulting pointer.
More Untrusted Pointer Dereference vulnerabilities (CWE-822)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- 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
- 7.8 High severity
- 9.9 Critical severity
Recent Untrusted Pointer Dereference vulnerabilities
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.4 High severity
- 8.4 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 8.2 High severity
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