CVE-2022-48522: In Perl 5.34.0, function S_find_uninit_var in sv.c has a stack-based crash that can lead to remote code execut

This week

CRITICAL 9.8REMOTEDOWNGRADE

CVE-2022-48522 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) affecting perl. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

In Perl 5.34.0, function S_find_uninit_var in sv.c has a stack-based crash that can lead to remote code execution or local privilege escalation.

Why this priority

Critical severity
Public exploit reference
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	9.8 (Critical)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	3.5% (top 11%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-787
Published	2023-08-22
Last modified	2026-10-14

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: perl

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2023-08-22 19:16 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-10-14 19:16 UTCUpdated Record last modified

perl perl DOWNGRADE

Affected: 5.34.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 5.34.0

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 5.34.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison perl sudo apt install perl=<VERSION_BEFORE_5.34.0> sudo apt-mark hold perl

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

dnf --showduplicates list perl sudo dnf downgrade perl-<VERSION_BEFORE_5.34.0> sudo dnf versionlock add perl

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.

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-2022-48522?

perl: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2022-48522 being exploited?

CVE-2022-48522 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-2022-48522 affect?

CVE-2022-48522 affects perl. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). In Perl 5.34.0, function S_find_uninit_var in sv.c has a stack-based crash that can lead to remote code execution or local privilege escalation.

How urgent is CVE-2022-48522?

Priority 67/100. Critical severity; Public exploit reference; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

Software pages

Perl vulnerabilities

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References

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