CVE-2026-96265 IBM Power Systems Firmware Improper Memory Buffer Restriction
Authenticated attackers can read or modify Hostboot memory via the service processor mailbox, compromising the host firmware and hypervisor.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- An administrator
- Attackable
- Local or same network only
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- None listed
What is CVE-2026-96265?
CVE-2026-96265 is a high-severity memory corruption vulnerability in IBM PowerVM Hypervisor, published on 12 Oct 2026. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.
Official description
IBM Power Systems Firmware FW1060.00 through FW1060.81 is affected by a vulnerability in the service processor mailbox interface. An attacker with authenticated service-level access to the FSP can send a specially crafted mailbox message to read or modify arbitrary regions of Hostboot memory, compromising the host firmware boot stack and the hypervisor subsequently loaded by it. Successful exploitation results in a confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact to the managed system.
Weakness: CWE-119
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-96265?
How do I fix CVE-2026-96265?
No fix has been published for CVE-2026-96265 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.
Upgrade to the fixed version. Memory-safe languages, compiler hardening and fuzzing prevent most new cases. More about Memory corruption.
Is CVE-2026-96265 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-96265 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Sources
Also known as GHSA-mf66-4x4w-vf4r.