The nothings stb TrueType library contains a heap buffer overflow vulnerability
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Local
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- Required
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- —
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- High · None · High
- Fix status
- No fix listed
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · CISA ADP. Fix status from CNA.
Summary
A heap-buffer-overflow vulnerability exists in the nothings stb TrueType library, up to version 1.26, that is used for parsing TrueType font files. The vulnerability exists in the stbtt__GetGlyphShapeTT() function within the nothings stb_truetype.h library when parsing malformed TTF (TrueType Font) files. The vulnerability resides in the glyph data parsing path. An attacker can craft a malformed TTF file with an inflated endPtsOfContours value and truncate the remaining glyph data. When an application utilizing stb_truetype.h (such as various game engines or graphics software) attempts to load, bake, or render this malformed font via stbtt_GetGlyphShape(), the parser will attempt to read past the end of the glyph data buffer, triggering the out-of-bounds read.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3
- Exploitation
- Poc
- Automatable
- No
- Technical impact
- Total
The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sean Barrett (nothings) | nothings stb | 1.26 | — | No fix listed | CNA |
- nothings stb VendorSean Barrett (nothings) Affected 1.26 Fixed in — No fix listed CNA
Remediation
No fixed version listed by the sources yet.
Vendor assessments
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2026-18497
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-fhqp-xwqm-2m94
References
Sources
- CVE-2026-18497 · CVE Program
- CVE-2026-18497 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-fhqp-xwqm-2m94 · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
- CVE-2026-18497 · 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