Code execution via overflowing inode-table allocation
Published Jul 20, 2022 · Updated Nov 3, 2025
Heap-based buffer overflow in DENX U-Boot 2020.10-rc2 through 2022.07-rc5 allows attackers to execute code via a crafted SquashFS image. sqfs_read_inode_table multiplies an attacker-controlled metadata-block count by SQFS_METADATA_BLOCK_SIZE in malloc without checking for integer overflow, allocating an undersized inode table before later metadata is copied beyond it. Triggering the flaw requires U-Boot to load the crafted local image; the overwrite can crash the bootloader or execute embedded code, including during secure boot.
Summary
What happened
Heap-based buffer overflow in DENX U-Boot 2020.10-rc2 through 2022.07-rc5 allows attackers to execute code via a crafted SquashFS image. sqfs_read_inode_table multiplies an attacker-controlled metadata-block count by SQFS_METADATA_BLOCK_SIZE in malloc without checking for integer overflow, allocating an undersized inode table before later metadata is copied beyond it. Triggering the flaw requires U-Boot to load the crafted local image; the overwrite can crash the bootloader or execute embedded code, including during secure boot.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2022-33967
- Published
- Jul 20, 2022
- Updated
- Nov 3, 2025
- Vendor
- DENX Software Engineering GmbH
- Product
- U-Boot
- Classifications
- CWE-787, T1204.002
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- unauthenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Jul 20, 2022CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Nov 3, 2025Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
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Is a vulnerable build present?
Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.
- Affected versionversion=versions from v2020.10-rc2 to v2022.07-rc5
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.
Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
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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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