CVE-2020-35738: WavPack 5.3.0 has an out-of-bounds write in WavpackPackSamples in pack_utils.c because of an integer overflow

This month

MEDIUM 6.1WATCHLISTDOWNGRADEMITIGATEMITIGATE

CVE-2020-35738 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 6.1) affecting wavpack, debian linux, fedora. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

WavPack 5.3.0 has an out-of-bounds write in WavpackPackSamples in pack_utils.c because of an integer overflow in a malloc argument. NOTE: some third-parties claim that there are later "unofficial" releases through 5.3.2, which are also affected.

Why this priority

Public exploit reference
On your watchlist

No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.

Risk facts

CVSS score	6.1 (Medium)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	Required
EPSS exploit chance	1.2% (top 32%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-190, CWE-787
Published	2020-12-28
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: debian · fedoraproject · wavpack

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2020-12-28 04:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 03:14 UTCUpdated Record last modified

wavpack wavpack DOWNGRADE

Affected: 5.3.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 5.3.0

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 5.3.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison wavpack sudo apt install wavpack=<VERSION_BEFORE_5.3.0> sudo apt-mark hold wavpack

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list wavpack sudo dnf downgrade wavpack-<VERSION_BEFORE_5.3.0> sudo dnf versionlock add wavpack

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

debian debian linux MITIGATE

Affected: 9.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 9.0

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

fedoraproject fedora MITIGATE

Affected: 32 · 33

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 32

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

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-2020-35738?

wavpack: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; fedora: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2020-35738 being exploited?

CVE-2020-35738 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-2020-35738 affect?

CVE-2020-35738 affects wavpack, debian linux, fedora. Severity is medium (CVSS 6.1). WavPack 5.3.0 has an out-of-bounds write in WavpackPackSamples in pack_utils.c because of an integer overflow in a malloc argument. NOTE: some third-parties claim that there are later "unofficial" releases through 5.3.2, which are also affe

How urgent is CVE-2020-35738?

Priority 48/100. Public exploit reference; On your watchlist

Software pages

Debian vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2022-2476 MEDIUM 5.5 DOWNGRADE MITIGATE A null pointer dereference bug was found in wavpack-5.4.0 The results from the ASAN log: AddressSanitizer:DEAD
CVE-2021-44269 MEDIUM 5.5 DOWNGRADE MITIGATE An out of bounds read was found in Wavpack 5.4.0 in processing *.WAV files

References

← Back to latest CVEs