CVE-2026-16118
Description
A flaw was found in xdgmime. A heap-based buffer overflow can be triggered in _xdg_mime_magic_parse_magic_line() in the xdgmimemagic.c file on little-endian systems when an attacker-controlled MIME magic file in a user-writable XDG data location (e.g., in the $XDG_DATA_HOME/mime/magic path) is parsed by an application performing MIME type detection (e.g., via g_content_type_guess()). When performing byte-swap, incorrect pointer arithmetic on the write side causes an out-of-bounds write of 2 bytes, resulting in an application crash or memory corruption.
Statement
To exploit this issue, an attacker must convince a user to install a malicious MIME magic file in a user-writable XDG data location (e.g., in the $XDG_DATA_HOME/mime/magic path) and process it with an application performing MIME type detection, limiting its exposure. Also, only little-endian systems are vulnerable. Due to these reasons, this issue has been rated with a moderate severity.
Mitigation
Do not install a MIME magic file or content from untrusted sources.
Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) Score Details
Info alert:Important note
CVSS scores for open source components depend on vendor-specific factors (e.g. version or build chain). Therefore, Red Hat's score and impact rating can be different from NVD and other vendors. Red Hat remains the authoritative CVE Naming Authority (CNA) source for its products and services (see Red Hat classifications).
CVSS v3 Score Breakdown
| Red Hat | NVD | cve.org | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Score | 7.1 | N/A | 7.1 |
| Attack Vector | Local | N/A | Local |
| Attack Complexity | Low | N/A | Low |
| Privileges Required | None | N/A | None |
| User Interaction | Required | N/A | Required |
| Scope | Unchanged | N/A | Unchanged |
| Confidentiality | None | N/A | None |
| Integrity Impact | High | N/A | High |
| Availability Impact | High | N/A | High |
Vector
Red Hat: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H
cve.org: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H
Acknowledgements
Red Hat would like to thank asotyc for reporting this issue.
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