CVE-2022-46285Network attack vector

Application hang via unclosed XPM comment

Published Feb 7, 2023 · Updated Mar 25, 2025

Infinite-loop denial of service in X.Org libXpm before 3.5.15 allows attackers to hang linked applications with a malformed XPM file. ParseComment() repeatedly calls getc() while seeking a closing comment marker but fails to stop when an unclosed C-style comment reaches end of file. Exploitation requires an application linked to the library to parse the crafted file, and the resulting loop interrupts that application without reported data disclosure or modification.

CVSS severity7.5
High
EPSS probability1.27%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Infinite-loop denial of service in X.Org libXpm before 3.5.15 allows attackers to hang linked applications with a malformed XPM file. ParseComment() repeatedly calls getc() while seeking a closing comment marker but fails to stop when an unclosed C-style comment reaches end of file. Exploitation requires an application linked to the library to parse the crafted file, and the resulting loop interrupts that application without reported data disclosure or modification.

The record

CVE
CVE-2022-46285
Published
Feb 7, 2023
Updated
Mar 25, 2025
Vendor
X.Org
Product
libXpm
Classifications
CWE-835, T1499.004
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Feb 7, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Mar 25, 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.

  1. Affected versionversion=3.5.15

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

X.Org · libXpmversion=3.5.15

Published CVSS scores

7.5NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/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-835Loop with Unreachable Exit Condition ('Infinite Loop')
T1499.004Application or System Exploitation

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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