CVE-2020-22219

Code execution via dangling bit-writer buffer

Published Aug 22, 2023 · Updated Oct 3, 2024

Buffer overflow in the FLAC encoder before 1.4.0 allows context-dependent attackers to execute code through crafted encoder input. When bitwriter_grow_ cannot enlarge its allocation, safe_realloc_mul_2op_ frees the old buffer but leaves bw->buffer pointing to it, and later encoder writes use that dangling address. Reachability requires an application to encode attacker-controlled data and trigger allocation failure; the resulting memory corruption causes a process crash or code execution.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.81%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Buffer overflow in the FLAC encoder before 1.4.0 allows context-dependent attackers to execute code through crafted encoder input. When bitwriter_grow_ cannot enlarge its allocation, safe_realloc_mul_2op_ frees the old buffer but leaves bw->buffer pointing to it, and later encoder writes use that dangling address. Reachability requires an application to encode attacker-controlled data and trigger allocation failure; the resulting memory corruption causes a process crash or code execution.

The record

CVE
CVE-2020-22219
Published
Aug 22, 2023
Updated
Oct 3, 2024
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
CWE-120
Attack vector
local
Privileges
Unavailable

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Aug 22, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Oct 3, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Affected buildAffected product and version details are unavailable.

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesUnavailable in this record.

What is affected?

Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.

Published CVSS scores

7.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

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No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
PrivilegesUnavailable
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-120Buffer Copy without Checking Size of Input ('Classic Buffer Overflow')

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

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Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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