Read the docs
TI-2026-32847 Aliases CVE-2026-44988

LibVNCClient Tight Gradient decoding allows malicious server-triggered heap/stack OOB writes

Priority MEDIUM 40CWE-787Published · Updated

Key facts

Attack vector
Network
Privileges required
None
User interaction
Required
Attack complexity
Low
Impact type
Code execution
Confidentiality · integrity · availability
High · High · High
Fix status
No fix listed

Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · CNA. Fix status from CNA. Impact type from CWE-787 and the CVSS impact.

Summary

LibVNCClient is a library for easy implementation of a VNC client. In 0.9.15 and earlier, LibVNCClient's Tight encoding decoder uses fixed-size 2048-pixel scratch buffers for the Gradient filter, but it does not reject Tight rectangles whose width is larger than 2048 pixels. A malicious VNC server can send a crafted FramebufferUpdate rectangle using Tight encoding with NoZlib | ExplicitFilter and the Gradient filter. When a LibVNCClient-based client connects, the client processes the server-controlled rectangle width and writes beyond fixed-size Gradient buffers. This vulnerability is fixed with commit 5b270544b85233668b98161323297d418a8f5fd1.

Why it matters now

Exploitation None reported CISA SSVC · not in CISA KEV
EPSS 0.00242 15th percentileScored 2026-11-07
Fix No fix listed No fixed version in the sources yet

SSVC decision points

CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3

Exploitation
None
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

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed inStatusSource
LibVNClibvncserverup to 0.9.15—No fix listedCNA
  • libvncserver VendorLibVNC Affected up to 0.9.15 Fixed in — No fix listed CNA

Remediation

No fixed version listed by the sources yet.

Timeline

  1. 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2026-44988

References

  • TI-2026-37265 libvncclient Tight decoder has an attacker-controlled heap out-of-bounds write CVSS 3.1HIGH 8.8
  • TI-2019-11774 Heap-based buffer overflow in LibVNCServer CVSS 3.1HIGH 8.8

Sources

This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences