CVE-2022-36040 in Rizin
Summary
by MITRE • 09/07/2022
Rizin is a UNIX-like reverse engineering framework and command-line toolset. Versions 0.4.0 and prior are vulnerable to an out-of-bounds write when getting data from PYC(python) files. A user opening a malicious PYC file could be affected by this vulnerability, allowing an attacker to execute code on the user's machine. Commit number 68948017423a12786704e54227b8b2f918c2fd27 contains a patch.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/16/2026
The vulnerability CVE-2022-36040 affects Rizin, a popular reverse engineering framework designed for analyzing binary files across UNIX-like systems. This security flaw exists in versions 0.4.0 and earlier, representing a critical risk to users who engage with Python bytecode files through the tool. The vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking during the processing of PYC files, which are compiled Python bytecode representations that the framework attempts to analyze and decompile for reverse engineering purposes. When a user opens a maliciously crafted PYC file, the Rizin tool fails to validate array access boundaries, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited by attackers.
The technical nature of this vulnerability manifests as an out-of-bounds write condition that occurs specifically during the data extraction process from PYC files. This flaw falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-787, which describes out-of-bounds write vulnerabilities where a program writes data past the end of a buffer or array. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows for arbitrary code execution on the victim's machine, making it a severe privilege escalation vector. Attackers can craft malicious PYC files that contain specially formatted data structures designed to trigger the buffer overflow during normal file processing operations. The commit 68948017423a12786704e54227b8b2f918c2fd27 addresses this issue by implementing proper bounds checking mechanisms that validate memory access before writing data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it represents a sophisticated attack vector that leverages the legitimate functionality of reverse engineering tools. Security researchers have documented similar patterns in the ATT&CK framework under the technique T1059.007 for Windows Scripting and T1059.006 for Python, where adversaries use scripting languages to deliver malicious payloads. In the context of Rizin, this vulnerability demonstrates how legitimate reverse engineering tools can become attack vectors when they process untrusted binary data without proper sanitization. The risk is particularly elevated for security professionals who regularly analyze suspicious files, as they may unknowingly open malicious PYC files that trigger the exploit during routine analysis activities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-36040 involve immediate upgrading to Rizin version 0.4.1 or later, which contains the necessary patch to prevent the out-of-bounds write condition. Organizations should also implement defensive measures such as restricting access to potentially malicious PYC files through sandboxed environments or automated file analysis systems. The patch addresses the root cause by introducing proper validation of buffer boundaries during PYC file parsing, ensuring that all array accesses are checked against valid memory limits before any data is written. Security teams should conduct vulnerability assessments to identify systems running affected versions and implement monitoring for suspicious file access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of opening untrusted PYC files, as social engineering attacks often involve tricking analysts into opening malicious files during security research activities.