CVE-2022-33070: Protobuf-c v1.4.0 was discovered to contain an invalid arithmetic shift via the function parse_tag_and_wiretyp

This month

MEDIUM 5.5DOWNGRADEMITIGATE

CVE-2022-33070 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.5) affecting protobuf-c, fedora. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Protobuf-c v1.4.0 was discovered to contain an invalid arithmetic shift via the function parse_tag_and_wiretype in protobuf-c/protobuf-c.c. This vulnerability allows attackers to cause a Denial of Service (DoS) via unspecified vectors.

Why this priority

Public exploit reference

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.5 (Medium)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	Required
EPSS exploit chance	1.1% (top 34%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2022-06-23
Last modified	2026-10-08

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: fedoraproject · protobuf-c project

Last updated 2026-10-08 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2022-06-23 17:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-10-08 21:17 UTCUpdated Record last modified

protobuf-c project protobuf-c DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.4.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.4.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy protobuf-c || rpm -q protobuf-c || protobuf-c --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.4.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison protobuf-c sudo apt install protobuf-c=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.4.0> sudo apt-mark hold protobuf-c

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

dnf --showduplicates list protobuf-c sudo dnf downgrade protobuf-c-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.4.0> sudo dnf versionlock add protobuf-c

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.

fedoraproject fedora MITIGATE

Affected: 36

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 36

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-2022-33070?

protobuf-c: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; fedora: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2022-33070 being exploited?

CVE-2022-33070 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-2022-33070 affect?

CVE-2022-33070 affects protobuf-c, fedora. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.5). Protobuf-c v1.4.0 was discovered to contain an invalid arithmetic shift via the function parse_tag_and_wiretype in protobuf-c/protobuf-c.c. This vulnerability allows attackers to cause a Denial of Service (DoS) via unspecified vectors.

How urgent is CVE-2022-33070?

Priority 41/100. Public exploit reference

Related CVEs

CVE-2022-48468 MEDIUM 5.5 UPGRADE protobuf-c before 1.4.1 has an unsigned integer overflow in parse_required_member.

References

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