Description

IBM AIX 7.2, and 7.3 and IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1 could allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary commands due to improper neutralization of special elements used in an OS command.

Executive Summary

Technical Details

Mitigations

References

Additional Metadata

{
  "score": "8.8",
  "pubDate": "2026-08-19T20:17:05.670Z",
  "pubdate": "2026-08-19T20:17:05.670Z",
  "executiveSummary": "This vulnerability involves an improper neutralization of special elements used in an OS command within IBM AIX and IBM PowerVM VIOS. The flaw allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary operating system commands with the privileges of the vulnerable service or application processing the unsanitized input.\nThe affected products include IBM AIX 7.2, IBM AIX 7.3, and IBM PowerVM VIOS 4.1. Successful exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to complete system compromise, unauthorized access to sensitive data, modification of system configurations, and disruption of critical operational services.\nThe risk implication is severe, as remote attackers with network access can leverage this vector to execute arbitrary system-level instructions without prior authentication, depending on the exposure of the vulnerable interface. Exploitation requirements involve sending specially crafted payloads containing malicious OS command sequences designed to bypass input filters and execute directly within the underlying shell execution context.",
  "technicalDetails": "The root cause of the vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and improper sanitization of special shell metacharacters and control operators supplied by users. When input containing these special elements is processed by the application or service, it is improperly concatenated or passed directly to underlying operating system command evaluation functions or shell interpreters.\nThe vulnerable components reside within the command-processing subsystems of IBM AIX versions 7.2 and 7.3, as well as IBM PowerVM VIOS version 4.1. Network exposure depends on the specific daemon, service, or management interface that handles the untrusted input, potentially exposing the attack surface to remote network adversaries.\nThe attack flow proceeds as follows: First, the remote attacker identifies an input vector that interfaces with the underlying operating system shell or command execution routine. Second, the attacker crafts a malicious payload containing OS command injection sequences, utilizing separators or metacharacters such as semicolons, pipes, or backticks to chain additional commands. Third, the application accepts the input and passes it directly to the execution environment without adequate neutralization. Fourth, the underlying shell interprets the injected special elements and executes the attacker-supplied payload alongside or instead of the intended command.\nThe payload executes with the privilege level of the vulnerable process running on the host, which may include administrative or high-privileged security contexts. Post-exploitation impact encompasses arbitrary code execution, lateral movement within the network, privilege escalation, data exfiltration, and establishment of persistent unauthorized access across the compromised IBM AIX or IBM PowerVM VIOS environment."
}