CVE-2026-22184

What it is

zlib versions up to and including 1.3.1.2 include a global buffer overflow in the untgz utility located under contrib/untgz. The vulnerability is limited to the standalone demonstration utility and does not affect the core zlib compression library. The flaw occurs when a user executes the untgz command with an excessively long archive name supplied via the command line, leading to an out-of-bounds write in a fixed-size global buffer.

At a glance

Exploitability

Can be exploited locally on the machine without logging in, but needs a user to act. Limited direct impact.

Exploit odds

0.4% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).

Fix

No patch or advisory is linked yet. Look at mitigations or restrict exposure.

Timeline

1. 2026-01-07 21:16 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2. 2026-09-01 13:18 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Why it ranks here

• Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
• Exploit odds: 0.4% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
• Severity: 4.6 MEDIUM (CVSS).
• Fix: none linked yet, which raises it.

Details

Published

2026-01-07 21:16 UTC

Last modified

2026-09-01 13:18 UTC

Exploit probability

0.4% · EPSS, next 30 days

Weakness

CWE-787 · Out-of-bounds write

Record status

Modified

Affected

• Zlib ≤ 1.3.1.2

Attack profile CVSS 4.0 · 4.6

Attack vector

Local

Complexity

Low

Attack requirements

None

Privileges needed

None

User interaction

Active

Confidentiality

Low

Integrity

None

Availability

Low

Is it in your code?

Hand this to your coding agent. It searches your project for the affected products and checks versions. Nothing leaves your machine.

Read https://cve-list.com/agent/cve/CVE-2026-22184.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2026-22184. Read only. Don't change anything and don't upload my code. Tell me yes, no or not sure, with the file as proof.

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