CVE-2022-32166: In ovs versions v0.90.0 through v2.5.0 are vulnerable to heap buffer over-read in flow.c

Routine

MEDIUM 6.1WATCHLISTUPGRADEMITIGATE

CVE-2022-32166 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 6.1) affecting open vswitch, debian linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

In ovs versions v0.90.0 through v2.5.0 are vulnerable to heap buffer over-read in flow.c. An unsafe comparison of “minimasks” function could lead access to an unmapped region of memory. This vulnerability is capable of crashing the software, memory modification, and possible remote execution.

Why this priority

On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	6.1 (Medium)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.6% (top 51%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-125
Published	2022-09-28
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): Mend · Vendor: cloudbase · debian

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2022-09-28 10:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 04:46 UTCUpdated Record last modified

cloudbase open vswitch UPGRADE

Affected: >= 0.90.0 and <= 2.5.0

Fixed in: newer than 2.5.0

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 0.90.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy open-vswitch || rpm -q open-vswitch || open-vswitch --version

2. UPGRADE to newer than 2.5.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade open-vswitch

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade open-vswitch

Note

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

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE to a release before 0.90.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison open-vswitch sudo apt install open-vswitch=<VERSION_BEFORE_0.90.0> sudo apt-mark hold open-vswitch

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list open-vswitch sudo dnf downgrade open-vswitch-<VERSION_BEFORE_0.90.0> sudo dnf versionlock add open-vswitch

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.

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-2022-32166?

open vswitch: upgrade to newer than 2.5.0; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2022-32166 being exploited?

CVE-2022-32166 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-2022-32166 affect?

CVE-2022-32166 affects open vswitch, debian linux. Severity is medium (CVSS 6.1). In ovs versions v0.90.0 through v2.5.0 are vulnerable to heap buffer over-read in flow.c. An unsafe comparison of “minimasks” function could lead access to an unmapped region of memory. This vulnerability is capable of crashing the software

How urgent is CVE-2022-32166?

Priority 39/100. On your watchlist

Software pages

Debian vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2023-1668 HIGH 8.2 UPGRADE MITIGATE A flaw was found in openvswitch (OVS)

References

← Back to latest CVEs