CVE-2022-36041 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 parsing Mach-O files. A user opening a malicious Mach-O file could be affected by this vulnerability, allowing an attacker to execute code on the user's machine. Commit number 7323e64d68ecccfb0ed3ee480f704384c38676b2 contains a patch.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/16/2026
The vulnerability CVE-2022-36041 affects Rizin, a popular reverse engineering framework designed for analyzing binary files across unix-like systems. This security flaw manifests as an out-of-bounds write condition during the parsing of Mach-O (Mac OS X Mach object) files, which are the standard binary format used by macOS and iOS operating systems. The vulnerability specifically impacts versions 0.4.0 and earlier, making them susceptible to exploitation by malicious actors who can craft specially designed Mach-O files to trigger the flaw. The out-of-bounds write condition represents a critical memory corruption vulnerability that can lead to arbitrary code execution, as it allows attackers to overwrite memory locations beyond the intended buffer boundaries, potentially enabling privilege escalation or remote code execution scenarios.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs within Rizin's Mach-O file parser where insufficient bounds checking is performed when processing malformed input data. When a user opens a maliciously crafted Mach-O file, the parser fails to validate array indices or buffer limits properly, causing the program to write data beyond the allocated memory space. This flaw aligns with CWE-787, which describes out-of-bounds write vulnerabilities that occur when a program writes to memory locations beyond the bounds of a buffer. The vulnerability can be exploited through the standard user interaction pattern of opening files, making it particularly dangerous as it requires no special privileges beyond normal file execution capabilities. The commit 7323e64d68ecccfb0ed3ee480f704384c38676b2 specifically addresses this issue by implementing proper bounds checking mechanisms and memory validation routines within the Mach-O parsing code.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-36041 extends beyond simple code execution, as it represents a significant threat to reverse engineering workflows and security analysis environments where users frequently analyze binary files from unknown or untrusted sources. Security researchers, malware analysts, and penetration testers who rely on Rizin for their work are particularly vulnerable since they regularly handle suspicious binary files that could contain malicious payloads. The vulnerability creates a persistent risk for any system where Rizin is installed and used, as the attack surface includes any scenario where a user might open a crafted Mach-O file, whether through direct execution or automated analysis tools. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where reverse engineering tools are commonly deployed for security auditing and threat analysis.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-36041 primarily focus on immediate version updates to Rizin 0.4.1 or later, which contain the necessary patches to address the out-of-bounds write condition. Users should also implement defensive measures such as validating all binary files before analysis, using sandboxed environments for reverse engineering activities, and implementing network-based restrictions to prevent automatic execution of unknown files. Security teams should monitor for exploitation attempts targeting this vulnerability through threat intelligence feeds and network traffic analysis. The patch implemented in commit 7323e64d68ecccfb0ed3ee480f704384c38676b2 demonstrates proper input validation techniques including array boundary checks, pointer validation, and memory allocation safety measures that align with industry best practices for preventing memory corruption vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies and mandatory file format verification procedures to reduce the risk of exploitation through this class of vulnerability.
The vulnerability can be mapped to several ATT&CK tactics including T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, T1546.008 for exploit for privilege escalation, and T1078 for valid accounts, as exploitation could lead to privilege escalation and persistent access. The vulnerability's classification as a memory corruption issue places it within the broader category of software vulnerabilities that require comprehensive patch management strategies and security awareness training for users who handle binary analysis tools. The out-of-bounds write condition demonstrates the critical importance of proper memory management and input validation in security-critical applications, particularly those designed for analyzing potentially malicious files. Organizations should prioritize patching this vulnerability as it represents a direct threat to system integrity and user security in environments where reverse engineering and binary analysis activities are conducted.