CVE-2020-22219: Buffer Overflow vulnerability in function bitwriter_grow_ in flac before 1.4.0 allows remote attackers to run

Q: How do I fix CVE-2020-22219?

flac: upgrade to 1.4.0. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2020-22219 being exploited?

CVE-2020-22219 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2020-22219 affect?

CVE-2020-22219 affects flac. Severity is high (CVSS 7.8). Buffer Overflow vulnerability in function bitwriter_grow_ in flac before 1.4.0 allows remote attackers to run arbitrary code via crafted input to the encoder.

Q: How urgent is CVE-2020-22219?

Priority 46/100. High severity; Public exploit reference

This month

HIGH 7.8UPGRADE

CVE-2020-22219 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.8) affecting flac. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Buffer Overflow vulnerability in function bitwriter_grow_ in flac before 1.4.0 allows remote attackers to run arbitrary code via crafted input to the encoder.

Why this priority

High severity
Public exploit reference

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.8 (High)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.8% (top 44%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-120
Published	2023-08-22
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: flac project

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2023-08-22 19:16 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 03:04 UTCUpdated Record last modified

flac project flac UPGRADE

Affected: < 1.4.0

Fixed in: 1.4.0

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy flac || rpm -q flac || flac --version

2. UPGRADE to 1.4.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade flac

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade flac

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2020-22219?

flac: upgrade to 1.4.0. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2020-22219 being exploited?

CVE-2020-22219 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2020-22219 affect?

CVE-2020-22219 affects flac. Severity is high (CVSS 7.8). Buffer Overflow vulnerability in function bitwriter_grow_ in flac before 1.4.0 allows remote attackers to run arbitrary code via crafted input to the encoder.

How urgent is CVE-2020-22219?

Priority 46/100. High severity; Public exploit reference

References

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