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🛡️ CVE-2022-45146 — fips-java-api

🟡 CVSS 5.5 — Medium ⚠️ Exploit Public CWE-416 NVD
5.5
CVSS Score
0 Low4 Medium7 High9 Critical10

Description

Garbage collection issue in BC-FJA in Java 13 and later

An issue was discovered in the FIPS Java API of Bouncy Castle BC-FJA before 1.0.2.4. Changes to the JVM garbage collector in Java 13 and later trigger an issue in the BC-FJA FIPS modules where it is possible for temporary keys used by the module to be zeroed out while still in use by the module, resulting in errors or potential information loss.

NOTE: FIPS compliant users are unaffected because the FIPS certification is only for Java 7, 8, and 11.

How this vulnerability can be exploited

This issue can be reached with local access to the system, attack complexity is low, an attacker needs low-level privileges on the target. No user interaction is required. The scope is unchanged, so the impact stays within the vulnerable component. Rated impact: confidentiality high, integrity none, availability none.

CVSS metrics in full

The score comes from this vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N

  • Attack vector: Local — a local account, shell or session on the host is needed.
  • Attack complexity: Low — the attack works reliably, with no preparation.
  • Privileges required: Low — an ordinary user account is enough.
  • User interaction: None — nobody has to be tricked into anything.
  • Scope: Unchanged — the damage stays inside the vulnerable component.
  • Confidentiality impact: High — total loss, or loss the attacker controls.
  • Integrity impact: None.
  • Availability impact: None.

Weakness class

CVE-2022-45146 is classified as CWE-416: Use After Free. Memory is used after being released, so its contents may already belong to something else.

Affected software

CVE-2022-45146 is recorded against 2 packages.

  • fips-java-api (fixed in 1.0.2.4)
  • org.bouncycastle:bc-fips (fixed in 1.0.2.4)

Timeline and source

Published on 21 November 2022 and last revised on 17 June 2026. A public exploit is known to exist, which raises the urgency of patching considerably. Record sourced from NVD.

References

github.com
mvnrepository.com
www.bouncycastle.org
github.com
mvnrepository.com
www.bouncycastle.org

Other advisories for this package

fips-java-api has other advisories on record. If you are patching this one, these are worth checking on the same host:

Same weakness in other software

These advisories are the same class of weakness (CWE-416: Use After Free) in other software:

CVE-2022-45146 on other distributions

Each distribution ships its own build and its own fixed version. Pick the one you run:

Details

Severity MEDIUM
CVSS Score 5.5
CVSS Vector CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
CWE CWE-416
Public Exploit ⚠️ Yes
Source NVD
Published 2022-11-21
Updated 2026-08-20
Modified 2026-06-17
Fix URL N/A

Affected Packages

Software From version Fixed in
fips-java-api — 1.0.2.4
org.bouncycastle:bc-fips — 1.0.2.4

Similar Threats

Exploit Protection

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CVE-2022-45146 carries CVSS 5.5 Medium rating and a public exploit already exists. BotEraser checks your installation against this and other known CVE records, and blocks IPs associated with exploit activity.

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ⓘ Data Notice: The information presented above has been compiled from publicly available internet sources. Boteraser aggregates this data solely for informational purposes and does not independently classify, evaluate, or endorse any findings about the vulnerabilities listed. The accuracy and completeness of this information is the sole responsibility of the original publishers. Boteraser and its operators accept no liability for any decisions made based on this data.

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