CVE-2022-36044 is a medium-severity vulnerability classified as CWE-787 (Out-of-bounds Write) affecting the rizin reverse engineering framework, specifically versions 0.4.0 and earlier. Rizin is a UNIX-like toolset used primarily for reverse engineering and binary analysis, often employed by security researchers, malware analysts, and developers. The vulnerability arises when rizin processes Luac files, which are compiled Lua scripts. An out-of-bounds write occurs during the handling of these files, allowing an attacker to overwrite memory outside the intended buffer boundaries. This memory corruption can lead to arbitrary code execution on the victim's machine if a user opens a crafted malicious Luac file. The vulnerability is exploitable without authentication but requires user interaction in the form of opening a malicious file. The issue was addressed in commits 07b43bc8aa1ffebd9b68d60624c9610cf7e460c7 and 05bbd147caccc60162d6fba9baaaf24befa281cd, which fix the out-of-bounds write condition. There are no known exploits in the wild as of the published date, and no CVSS score has been assigned. The vulnerability impacts the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of systems running vulnerable versions of rizin, as arbitrary code execution could lead to full system compromise.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2022-36044 depends largely on the extent to which rizin is used within their security research, malware analysis, or software development teams. Organizations relying on rizin for reverse engineering tasks may face risks of system compromise if malicious Luac files are introduced, either via phishing, insider threats, or supply chain attacks. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized access, data theft, or disruption of critical analysis workflows. Given that rizin is a specialized tool, the broader enterprise impact is limited, but high-value targets such as cybersecurity firms, CERT teams, and research institutions in Europe could be affected. The vulnerability could also be leveraged as a foothold in targeted attacks against these organizations, potentially impacting national cybersecurity capabilities and incident response effectiveness. The requirement for user interaction reduces the risk of widespread automated exploitation but does not eliminate targeted attack scenarios.

European organizations using rizin should immediately verify the version in use and upgrade to a patched version beyond 0.4.0 where the vulnerability is fixed. If upgrading is not immediately possible, organizations should implement strict file handling policies to prevent opening untrusted or unsolicited Luac files. Sandboxing rizin executions and running it with least privilege can limit the impact of potential exploitation. Additionally, monitoring for anomalous process behavior and unexpected network activity originating from rizin instances can help detect exploitation attempts. Security teams should educate users about the risks of opening files from untrusted sources, especially in reverse engineering environments. Incorporating file integrity monitoring and application whitelisting for rizin-related binaries and scripts can further reduce risk. Finally, organizations should track updates from the rizin project and apply patches promptly.