How severe is CVE-2026-16980?

CVE-2026-16980 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 6.3, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over local access with high attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2026-16980 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (1st percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2026-16980?

CVE-2026-16980 primarily affects Ibm Vios. In total, 2 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2026-16980?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.

When was CVE-2026-16980 published?

CVE-2026-16980 was published on 2026-08-20 and last updated on 2026-08-24.

CVE-2026-16980

CVE-2026-16980 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Ibm Vios with a CVSS 3.x base score of 6.3. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-59.

Key facts

Severity: Medium (CVSS 3.x base score 6.3)
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (1st percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-59
Affected product: Ibm Vios
Published: 2026-08-20
Last modified: 2026-08-24

Description

IBM AIX 7.2, and 7.3 and IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1 could allow a local attacker to cause a denial of service due to improper validation of symbolic links.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2026-16980?: IBM AIX 7.2, and 7.3 and IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1 could allow a local attacker to cause a denial of service due to improper validation of symbolic links.
How severe is CVE-2026-16980?: CVE-2026-16980 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 6.3, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over local access with high attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2026-16980 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (1st percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2026-16980?: CVE-2026-16980 primarily affects Ibm Vios. In total, 2 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2026-16980?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.
When was CVE-2026-16980 published?: CVE-2026-16980 was published on 2026-08-20 and last updated on 2026-08-24.

References

https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/7283858

Affected products (2)

cpe:2.3:a:ibm:vios:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:ibm:aix:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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