CVE-2022-38178

CVE-2022-38178 is a high-severity vulnerability in Isc Bind with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-401.

Key facts

• Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.5)
• EPSS exploit prediction: 3% (84th percentile)
• Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
• Weakness: CWE-401
• Affected product: Isc Bind
• Published: 2022-09-21
• Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

By spoofing the target resolver with responses that have a malformed EdDSA signature, an attacker can trigger a small memory leak. It is possible to gradually erode available memory to the point where named crashes for lack of resources.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2022-38178?

By spoofing the target resolver with responses that have a malformed EdDSA signature, an attacker can trigger a small memory leak. It is possible to gradually erode available memory to the point where named crashes for lack of resources.

How severe is CVE-2022-38178?

CVE-2022-38178 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity none, and availability high.

Is CVE-2022-38178 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 3% (84th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2022-38178?

CVE-2022-38178 primarily affects Isc Bind. In total, 28 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2022-38178?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2022-38178 published?

CVE-2022-38178 was published on 2022-09-21 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

• http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2022/09/21/3
• https://kb.isc.org/docs/cve-2022-38178
• https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2022/10/msg00007.html
• https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/CV4GQWBPF7Y52J2FA24U6UMHQAOXZEF7/
• https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/MRHB6J4Z7BKH4HPEKG5D35QGRD6ANNMT/
• https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/YZJQNUASODNVAWZV6STKG5SD6XIJ446S/
• https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202210-25
• https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20221228-0009/
• https://www.debian.org/security/2022/dsa-5235

Affected products (28)

• cpe:2.3:a:isc:bind:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:isc:bind:9.11.3:s1:*:*:supported_preview:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:isc:bind:9.11.3:s4:*:*:supported_preview:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:isc:bind:9.11.5:s3:*:*:*:supported_preview:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:isc:bind:9.11.5:s3:*:*:supported_preview:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:isc:bind:9.11.5:s5:*:*:supported_preview:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:isc:bind:9.11.5:s6:*:*:supported_preview:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:isc:bind:9.11.6:s1:*:*:supported_preview:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:isc:bind:9.11.7:s1:*:*:supported_preview:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:isc:bind:9.11.8:s1:*:*:supported_preview:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:isc:bind:9.11.12:s1:*:*:supported_preview:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:isc:bind:9.11.14-s1:*:*:*:preview:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:isc:bind:9.11.19-s1:*:*:*:preview:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:isc:bind:9.11.21:s1:*:*:supported_preview:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:isc:bind:9.11.27:s1:*:*:supported_preview:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:isc:bind:9.11.29:s1:*:*:supported_preview:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:isc:bind:9.11.35:s1:*:*:supported_preview:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:isc:bind:9.11.37:s1:*:*:supported_preview:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:isc:bind:9.16.8:s1:*:*:supported_preview:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:isc:bind:9.16.11:s1:*:*:supported_preview:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:isc:bind:9.16.13:s1:*:*:supported_preview:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:isc:bind:9.16.21:s1:*:*:supported_preview:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:isc:bind:9.16.32:s1:*:*:supported_preview:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:11.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:fedoraproject:fedora:35:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:fedoraproject:fedora:36:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:fedoraproject:fedora:37:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:netapp:active_iq_unified_manager:-:*:*:*:*:vmware_vsphere:*:*

More vulnerabilities in Isc Bind

• CVE-2008-0122 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Off-by-one error in the inet_network function in libbind in ISC BIND 9.4.2 and earlier, as used in libc in FreeBSD 6.2…
• CVE-2001-0011 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Buffer overflow in nslookupComplain function in BIND 4 allows remote attackers to gain root privileges.
• CVE-2001-0013 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Format string vulnerability in nslookupComplain function in BIND 4 allows remote attackers to gain root privileges.
• CVE-2001-0010 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Buffer overflow in transaction signature (TSIG) handling code in BIND 8 allows remote attackers to gain root privileges.
• CVE-2000-1029 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Buffer overflow in host command allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary commands via a long response to an AXFR…
• CVE-1999-0837 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Denial of service in BIND by improperly closing TCP sessions via so_linger.

All CVEs affecting Isc Bind →

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