CVE-2026-41992

What it is

GNU gzip contains a global buffer overflow vulnerability in the LZH decompression logic caused by improper reuse of shared global state between different decompression formats within a single execution. GNU gzip maintains a global array that is shared across the LZ77, LZW, and LZH decompression routines and is not reinitialized between files processed in the same invocation. By decompressing a specially crafted LZW file followed by a specially crafted LZH file in a single gzip -d command, an attacker can poison the shared global state and subsequently trigger an out‑of‑bounds read in the LZH decoder. The LZH decompression logic follows stale values left in the shared array, causing reads past the end of the allocated global buffer. This issue has been fixed in commits 63dbf6b3b9e6e781df1a6a64e609b10e23969681 and e7378c2d421be6a286922374425680bbe9ad8b7d.

At a glance

Exploitability

Can be exploited locally on the machine without logging in. High risk of data exposure.

Exploit odds

0.6% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).

Fix

A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.

Timeline

1. 2026-06-29 12:16 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2. 2026-10-25 21:10 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Why it ranks here

• Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
• Exploit odds: 0.6% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
• Severity: 6.9 MEDIUM (CVSS).
• Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.

Details

Published

2026-06-29 12:16 UTC

Last modified

2026-10-25 21:10 UTC

Exploit probability

0.6% · EPSS, next 30 days

Weakness

CWE-126

Record status

Modified

Affected

• Gnu Gzip ≤ 1.14

Attack profile CVSS 4.0 · 6.9

Attack vector

Local

Complexity

Low

Attack requirements

None

Privileges needed

None

User interaction

None

Confidentiality

High

Integrity

None

Availability

None

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-2026-41992.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2026-41992. 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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