9.3
CRITICAL CVSS 4.0
CVE-2026-22184
zlib <= 1.3.1.2 untgz Global Buffer Overflow in TGZfname()
Description

zlib versions up to and including 1.3.1.2 contain a global buffer overflow in the untgz utility. The TGZfname() function copies an attacker-supplied archive name from argv[] into a fixed-size 1024-byte static global buffer using an unbounded strcpy() call without length validation. Supplying an archive name longer than 1024 bytes results in an out-of-bounds write that can lead to memory corruption, denial of service, and potentially code execution depending on compiler, build flags, architecture, and memory layout. The overflow occurs prior to any archive parsing or validation.

INFO

Published Date :

Jan. 7, 2026, 9:16 p.m.

Last Modified :

Jan. 8, 2026, 6:08 p.m.

Remotely Exploit :

Yes !
Affected Products

The following products are affected by CVE-2026-22184 vulnerability. Even if cvefeed.io is aware of the exact versions of the products that are affected, the information is not represented in the table below.

No affected product recoded yet

CVSS Scores
The Common Vulnerability Scoring System is a standardized framework for assessing the severity of vulnerabilities in software and systems. We collect and displays CVSS scores from various sources for each CVE.
Score Version Severity Vector Exploitability Score Impact Score Source
CVSS 4.0 CRITICAL 83251b91-4cc7-4094-a5c7-464a1b83ea10
CVSS 4.0 CRITICAL [email protected]
Solution
Update zlib to a version that addresses the untgz buffer overflow vulnerability.
  • Update zlib to version 1.3.1.3 or later.
  • Recompile applications linked against the updated zlib.
  • Validate untgz utility input for archive names.
  • Avoid untrusted archive files.
References to Advisories, Solutions, and Tools

Here, you will find a curated list of external links that provide in-depth information, practical solutions, and valuable tools related to CVE-2026-22184.

URL Resource
https://github.com/madler/zlib
https://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2026/Jan/3
https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/zlib-untgz-global-buffer-overflow-in-tgzfname
https://zlib.net/
CWE - Common Weakness Enumeration

While CVE identifies specific instances of vulnerabilities, CWE categorizes the common flaws or weaknesses that can lead to vulnerabilities. CVE-2026-22184 is associated with the following CWEs:

We scan GitHub repositories to detect new proof-of-concept exploits. Following list is a collection of public exploits and proof-of-concepts, which have been published on GitHub (sorted by the most recently updated).

Results are limited to the first 15 repositories due to potential performance issues.

The following list is the news that have been mention CVE-2026-22184 vulnerability anywhere in the article.

The following table lists the changes that have been made to the CVE-2026-22184 vulnerability over time.

Vulnerability history details can be useful for understanding the evolution of a vulnerability, and for identifying the most recent changes that may impact the vulnerability's severity, exploitability, or other characteristics.

  • New CVE Received by [email protected]

    Jan. 07, 2026

    Action Type Old Value New Value
    Added Description zlib versions up to and including 1.3.1.2 contain a global buffer overflow in the untgz utility. The TGZfname() function copies an attacker-supplied archive name from argv[] into a fixed-size 1024-byte static global buffer using an unbounded strcpy() call without length validation. Supplying an archive name longer than 1024 bytes results in an out-of-bounds write that can lead to memory corruption, denial of service, and potentially code execution depending on compiler, build flags, architecture, and memory layout. The overflow occurs prior to any archive parsing or validation.
    Added CVSS V4.0 AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X
    Added CWE CWE-120
    Added Reference https://github.com/madler/zlib
    Added Reference https://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2026/Jan/3
    Added Reference https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/zlib-untgz-global-buffer-overflow-in-tgzfname
    Added Reference https://zlib.net/
EPSS is a daily estimate of the probability of exploitation activity being observed over the next 30 days. Following chart shows the EPSS score history of the vulnerability.
Vulnerability Scoring Details
Base CVSS Score: 9.3
Attack Vector
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