Gzip Vulnerabilities Expose Systems to Local Attacks

Recent vulnerabilities in Gzip, discovered by Michał Majchrowicz, Marcin Wyczechowski, and Elias Hasas, affect systems using the gzexe utility. The vulnerabilities include CVE-2026-41991, where insecure temporary file creation could allow local attackers to overwrite arbitrary files, and CVE-2026-41992, which could lead to information disclosure or denial of service due to improper handling of certain compressed files. These issues impact Gzip versions in Ubuntu systems, particularly Ubuntu 16.04 LTS. Users are advised to update their systems to mitigate these risks. The vulnerabilities were published on June 29, 2026, and a standard system update is recommended for remediation.

Key Points: • Two critical vulnerabilities identified in Gzip: CVE-2026-41991 and CVE-2026-41992. • Local attackers can exploit these vulnerabilities to overwrite files or cause denial of service. • Affected systems include Ubuntu 16.04 LTS; users should apply updates promptly.