CVE-2026-22184 zlib <= 1.3.1.2 untgz Global Buffer Overflow in TGZfname()
A buffer overflow in the untgz utility allows attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause denial of service via a long archive name.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Not needed
- Attackable
- Local or same network only
- Victim action needed
- A user has to click or open something
- Fix
- Available
What is CVE-2026-22184?
CVE-2026-22184 is a medium-severity memory corruption vulnerability in zlib, published on 7 Jan 2026. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Official description
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.
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-22184?
It affects 1 product.
Products include Zlib Zlib.
How do I fix CVE-2026-22184?
Upgrade to a fixed version.
Upgrade to the fixed version. Memory-safe languages, compiler hardening and fuzzing prevent most new cases. More about Memory corruption.
Is CVE-2026-22184 being exploited?
It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2026-22184 exists.
Other vulnerabilities in zlib
Sources
Also known as ALPINE-CVE-2026-22184, AZL-73964, AZL-73967, AZL-73991, AZL-73994, AZL-74003 and 7 more.