CVE-2022-42920Network attack vector

Arbitrary bytecode via out-of-bounds write

Published Nov 7, 2022 · Updated Aug 3, 2024

Out-of-bounds write in Apache Commons BCEL before 6.6.0 allows remote attackers to produce arbitrary bytecode via crafted input. BCEL APIs intended to alter limited class characteristics write beyond bounds when processing attacker-controllable values, enabling arbitrary bytecode generation. Exploitation requires an application to pass attacker-controlled data into these APIs; the resulting bytecode gives the attacker control over generated class contents.

CVSS severity9.8
Critical
EPSS probability3.01%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Out-of-bounds write in Apache Commons BCEL before 6.6.0 allows remote attackers to produce arbitrary bytecode via crafted input. BCEL APIs intended to alter limited class characteristics write beyond bounds when processing attacker-controllable values, enabling arbitrary bytecode generation. Exploitation requires an application to pass attacker-controlled data into these APIs; the resulting bytecode gives the attacker control over generated class contents.

The record

CVE
CVE-2022-42920
Published
Nov 7, 2022
Updated
Aug 3, 2024
Vendor
The Apache Software Foundation
Product
Apache Commons BCEL
Classifications
CWE-787
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Nov 7, 2022CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 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?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=Apache Commons BCEL <6.6.0

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

The Apache Software Foundation · Apache Commons BCELversion=Apache Commons BCEL <6.6.0

Published CVSS scores

9.8GitLab Advisory DatabaseCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/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)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-787Out-of-bounds Write

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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