The png_format_buffer function in pngerror.c in libpng 1.0.x before 1.0.55, 1.2.x before…
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Network
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- Required
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- Denial of service
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- None · None · High
- Fix status
- Fixed
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · NVD. Fix status from CNA and Red Hat. Impact type from CWE-125 and the CVSS impact.
Summary
The png_format_buffer function in pngerror.c in libpng 1.0.x before 1.0.55, 1.2.x before 1.2.45, 1.4.x before 1.4.8, and 1.5.x before 1.5.4 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) via a crafted PNG image that triggers an out-of-bounds read during the copying of error-message data. NOTE: this vulnerability exists because of a CVE-2004-0421 regression. NOTE: this is called an off-by-one error by some sources.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
Not available: CISA has not published SSVC decision points for this record.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | — | all versions | — | No fix listed | CNA |
- — Vendor— Affected all versions Fixed in — No fix listed CNA
CPE configurations NVD · 8
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:2.3:a:libpng:libpng:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 1.0.0 to before 1.0.55; 1.2.0 to before 1.2.45; 1.4.0 to before 1.4.8; 1.5.0 to before 1.5.4 | Vulnerable | pnggroup |
| cpe:2.3:o:fedoraproject:fedora:14:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 14 | Vulnerable | Fedoraproject |
| cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:5.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 5.0 | Vulnerable | Debian |
| cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:6.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 6.0 | Vulnerable | Debian |
| cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:8.04:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 8.04 | Vulnerable | Canonical |
| cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:10.04:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 10.04 | Vulnerable | Canonical |
| cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:10.10:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 10.10 | Vulnerable | Canonical |
| cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:11.04:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 11.04 | Vulnerable | Canonical |
- cpe:2.3:a:libpng:libpng:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 1.0.0 to before 1.0.55; 1.2.0 to before 1.2.45; 1.4.0 to before 1.4.8; 1.5.0 to before 1.5.4 Vulnerable ·pnggroup
- cpe:2.3:o:fedoraproject:fedora:14:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 14 Vulnerable ·Fedoraproject
- cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:5.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 5.0 Vulnerable ·Debian
- cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:6.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 6.0 Vulnerable ·Debian
- cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:8.04:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 8.04 Vulnerable ·Canonical
- cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:10.04:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 10.04 Vulnerable ·Canonical
- cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:10.10:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 10.10 Vulnerable ·Canonical
- cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:11.04:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 11.04 Vulnerable ·Canonical
Remediation
Red Hat 1 advisory
- RHSA-2011:1105 Released 2011-07-28 · Red Hat rating Moderatelibpng security update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server (v. 6) libpng-2:1.2.46-1.el6_1, libpng-2:1.2.46-1.el6_1.ppc, libpng-devel-2:1.2.46-1.el6_1 +1
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional (v. 6) libpng-2:1.2.46-1.el6_1, libpng-static-2:1.2.46-1.el6_1
Vendor assessments
Red Hat
Red Hat rating: Moderate. Red Hat's page for this CVE →
| Product | Status | Plan or fix |
|---|---|---|
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server (v. 6) | Fixed | RHSA-2011:1105 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional (v. 6) | Fixed | RHSA-2011:1105 |
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2011-2501
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-8m2c-g35f-jj8v
References
Patch 4
Advisory 7
Sources
- CVE-2011-2501 · CVE Program
- CVE-2011-2501 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-8m2c-g35f-jj8v · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
- CVE-2011-2501 · Red Hat security data · CC BY 4.0
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences