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CVE Record

CVE-2022-36227: In libarchive before 3.6.2, the software does not check for an error after calling calloc function that can...

In libarchive before 3.6.2, the software does not check for an error after calling calloc function that can return with a NULL pointer if the function fails, which leads to a resultant NULL pointer dereference. NOTE: the discoverer cites this CWE-476 remark but third parties dispute the code-execution impact: "In rare circumstances, when NULL is equivalent to the 0x0 memory address and privileged code can access it, then writing or reading memory is possible, which may lead to code execution."

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysisunknown

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

Libarchive before 3.6.2 can mishandle a failed memory allocation and crash by dereferencing NULL. Exposure is most likely through OS packages or software that uses libarchive to process archives. Public sources do not confirm active exploitation or a reliable code-execution path.

Executive priority

Treat as a routine but real patching item. It can affect archive-processing workflows, but the provided evidence does not support emergency handling for active exploitation or confirmed remote code execution.

Technical view

The CVE describes a missing error check after calloc in libarchive, resulting in a possible NULL pointer dereference. The record notes a discoverer-cited CWE-476 code-execution remark, but says third parties dispute that impact. Vendor advisories from Fedora, Debian LTS, and Gentoo issued security updates.

Likely exposure

Organizations may be exposed where libarchive before 3.6.2, or vendor-backported vulnerable packages, are installed. Prioritize servers, build systems, endpoint tools, and applications that automatically handle untrusted archive files.

Exploitation context

CISA KEV is false, and the provided sources do not report active exploitation. The supported impact is denial of service through a NULL pointer dereference; code-execution impact is explicitly disputed in the CVE description.

Researcher notes

Focus validation on version provenance and vendor backports, not only upstream version strings. The CVE’s own note limits confidence in code-execution claims, so report exposure as a crash-class memory safety issue unless stronger evidence exists.

Mitigation direction

  • Upgrade libarchive to 3.6.2 or a vendor-fixed backported package.
  • Apply relevant Fedora, Debian LTS, or Gentoo security updates where applicable.
  • Check application vendors if they bundle libarchive separately from the OS.
  • Limit automated processing of untrusted archives until affected systems are updated.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory installed libarchive package versions across Linux systems and containers.
  • Identify applications that statically bundle or vendor libarchive.
  • Confirm distro advisories mark the installed package as fixed.
  • Review crash telemetry for libarchive-related NULL dereference failures.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
6

Public sources used

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

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ATT&CK lookup starting points

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description · low confidence lookup

Execution behavior lookup

The CVE wording references code or command execution, so execution technique review may help defensive triage. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.

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CVE-2022-36227 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Unknown
CVSS
Not scored
Known Exploited
No
Published
Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

0CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
8Source links

CVSS and timeline data

No CVSS vectors or timeline events were available in the normalized CVE source material.

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
n/an/an/aListed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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