# OSV-2020-955: UNKNOWN WRITE in vcf_parse_format

> A memory corruption vulnerability in the VCF parsing library allows attackers to cause crashes or potentially execute code via malformed files.

- **Severity:** Not scored
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Not stated
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 22 Jul 2020

## What is OSV-2020-955?

OSV-2020-955 is a memory corruption vulnerability in htslib, published on 22 Jul 2020. 

### Official description

OSS-Fuzz report: https://bugs.chromium.org/p/oss-fuzz/issues/detail?id=24097

```
Crash type: UNKNOWN WRITE
Crash state:
vcf_parse_format
vcf_parse
vcf_read
```

## Which versions are affected by OSV-2020-955?

1 open source package ship an affected version, including htslib.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `htslib` | OSS-Fuzz | All versions | None |

## How do I fix OSV-2020-955?

No fix has been published for OSV-2020-955 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is OSV-2020-955 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of OSV-2020-955 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for OSV-2020-955 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: OSV-2020-955 is a memory corruption vulnerability in htslib, published on 22 Jul 2020. 
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of OSV-2020-955 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- htslib (OSS-Fuzz): affected all versions; no fix listed

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/OSV-2020-955/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/OSV-2020-955/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/OSV-2020-955

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/OSV-2020-955/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.