CVE-2022-1271: An arbitrary file write vulnerability was found in GNU gzip's zgrep utility

Q: How do I fix CVE-2022-1271?

gzip: upgrade to 1.12; jboss data grid: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2022-1271 being exploited?

CVE-2022-1271 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-2022-1271 affect?

CVE-2022-1271 affects gzip, jboss data grid, debian linux. Severity is high (CVSS 8.8). An arbitrary file write vulnerability was found in GNU gzip's zgrep utility. When zgrep is applied on the attacker's chosen file name (for example, a crafted file name), this can overwrite an attacker's content to an arbitrary attacker-sele

Q: How urgent is CVE-2022-1271?

Priority 59/100. High severity; EPSS top 7%: very likely to be exploited; On your watchlist

This month

HIGH 8.8WATCHLISTUPGRADEDOWNGRADEMITIGATE

CVE-2022-1271 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 8.8) affecting gzip, jboss data grid, debian linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

An arbitrary file write vulnerability was found in GNU gzip's zgrep utility. When zgrep is applied on the attacker's chosen file name (for example, a crafted file name), this can overwrite an attacker's content to an arbitrary attacker-selected file. This flaw occurs due to insufficient validation when processing filenames with two or more newlines where selected content and the target file names are embedded in crafted multi-line file names. Thi

Why this priority

High severity
EPSS top 7%: very likely to be exploited
On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	8.8 (High)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	5.5% (top 7%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-179, CWE-20
Published	2022-08-31
Last modified	2026-10-14

Publisher (CNA): Red Hat, Inc. · Vendor: debian · gnu · redhat · tukaani

Last updated 2026-10-14 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2022-08-31 16:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-10-14 13:17 UTCUpdated Record last modified

gnu gzip UPGRADE

Affected: < 1.12

Fixed in: 1.12

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to 1.12 (Debian / Ubuntu)

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

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade gzip

Note

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

redhat jboss data grid DOWNGRADE

Affected: 7.0.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 7.0.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy jboss-data-grid || rpm -q jboss-data-grid || jboss-data-grid --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 7.0.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison jboss-data-grid sudo apt install jboss-data-grid=<VERSION_BEFORE_7.0.0> sudo apt-mark hold jboss-data-grid

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

dnf --showduplicates list jboss-data-grid sudo dnf downgrade jboss-data-grid-<VERSION_BEFORE_7.0.0> sudo dnf versionlock add jboss-data-grid

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: 10.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 10.0

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.

tukaani xz UPGRADE

Affected: < 5.2.5

Fixed in: 5.2.5

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to 5.2.5 (Debian / Ubuntu)

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

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade xz

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-2022-1271?

gzip: upgrade to 1.12; jboss data grid: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2022-1271 being exploited?

CVE-2022-1271 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-2022-1271 affect?

CVE-2022-1271 affects gzip, jboss data grid, debian linux. Severity is high (CVSS 8.8). An arbitrary file write vulnerability was found in GNU gzip's zgrep utility. When zgrep is applied on the attacker's chosen file name (for example, a crafted file name), this can overwrite an attacker's content to an arbitrary attacker-sele

How urgent is CVE-2022-1271?

Priority 59/100. High severity; EPSS top 7%: very likely to be exploited; On your watchlist

Software pages

Debian vulnerabilities · JBoss and WildFly vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2026-41992 HIGH 7.5 UPGRADE GNU gzip contains a global buffer overflow vulnerability in the LZH decompression logic caused by improper reu
CVE-2026-41991 MEDIUM 4.7 UPGRADE GNU gzip contains a vulnerability in the gzexe utility related to insecure temporary file handling

References

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