CVE-2022-38533: In GNU Binutils before 2.40, there is a heap-buffer-overflow in the error function bfd_getl32 when called from

Q: How do I fix CVE-2022-38533?

binutils: upgrade to newer than 2.39; fedora: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2022-38533 being exploited?

CVE-2022-38533 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-2022-38533 affect?

CVE-2022-38533 affects binutils, fedora. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.5). In GNU Binutils before 2.40, there is a heap-buffer-overflow in the error function bfd_getl32 when called from the strip_main function in strip-new via a crafted file.

Q: How urgent is CVE-2022-38533?

Priority 26/100. No elevated risk signals yet.

Routine

MEDIUM 5.5UPGRADEMITIGATE

CVE-2022-38533 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.5) affecting binutils, fedora. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

In GNU Binutils before 2.40, there is a heap-buffer-overflow in the error function bfd_getl32 when called from the strip_main function in strip-new via a crafted file.

Why this priority

No elevated risk signals yet

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.5 (Medium)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	Required
EPSS exploit chance	0.3% (top 73%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-787
Published	2022-08-26
Last modified	2026-11-02

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: fedoraproject · gnu

Last updated 2026-11-02 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2022-08-26 00:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-11-02 23:17 UTCUpdated Record last modified

gnu binutils UPGRADE

Affected: <= 2.39

Fixed in: newer than 2.39

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to newer than 2.39 (Debian / Ubuntu)

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

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade binutils

Note

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

fedoraproject fedora MITIGATE

Affected: 36 · 37

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-2022-38533?

binutils: upgrade to newer than 2.39; fedora: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2022-38533 being exploited?

CVE-2022-38533 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-2022-38533 affect?

CVE-2022-38533 affects binutils, fedora. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.5). In GNU Binutils before 2.40, there is a heap-buffer-overflow in the error function bfd_getl32 when called from the strip_main function in strip-new via a crafted file.

How urgent is CVE-2022-38533?

Priority 26/100. No elevated risk signals yet.

Related CVEs

CVE-2026-6846 HIGH 7.8 UPGRADE MITIGATE A flaw was found in binutils
CVE-2026-6844 MEDIUM 5.5 MITIGATE MITIGATE A flaw was found in the `readelf` utility of the binutils package
CVE-2026-6845 MEDIUM 5.0 MITIGATE MITIGATE A flaw was found in binutils, specifically within the `readelf` utility
CVE-2018-18700 MEDIUM 5.5 DOWNGRADE An issue was discovered in cp-demangle.c in GNU libiberty, as distributed in GNU Binutils 2.31
CVE-2025-8224 LOW 3.3 DOWNGRADE A vulnerability has been found in GNU Binutils 2.44 and classified as problematic

References

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