CVE-2007-4791: Buffer overflow in the swcons command in bos.rte.console in IBM AIX 5.2 and 5.3 allows local users to gain...

Security readout for executives and security teams

This flaw affects IBM AIX 5.2 and 5.3 systems through the swcons command in bos.rte.console. A local user could trigger a buffer overflow and gain higher privileges. It is mainly a risk where legacy AIX hosts still allow shell access to users or applications. Exposure is most likely on legacy IBM AIX 5.2 or 5.3 installations with bos.rte.console present and local user access. Internet exposure is not indicated because the issue requires local use of swcons. Treat this as a legacy-platform privilege escalation issue. It is not described as remotely exploitable, but compromised local accounts on affected AIX hosts could become administrator-level incidents. Prioritize inventory, vendor-fix verification, and decommissioning plans. Mitigation focus: Identify any remaining IBM AIX 5.2 or 5.3 hosts.; Check IBM APAR guidance for IY98804, IY98819, and IY98532.; Apply IBM-supported maintenance or APAR fixes where applicable..

Prepared

Jun 29, 2026, 03:38 UTC (UTC+00:00)

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.