CVE-2026-9672
Description
A flaw was found in libgd. Processing a specially crafted GIF file allows a remote attacker to trigger a buffer overflow, resulting in an application crash and a denial of service. Arbitrary code execution is possible in theory, but considered highly unlikely because standard image decompression and pixel manipulation generally destroy the exploit payload.
Statement
To exploit this flaw, a remote attacker needs to be able to process a crafted GIF file with an application linked to the libgd library. Successful exploitation can result in an application crash, leading to a denial of service, or in arbitrary code execution. However, arbitrary code execution is highly unlikely because standard image decompression and pixel manipulation generally destroy the exploit payload.
For these reasons, this vulnerability has been rated with an important severity.
Default Red Hat Enterprise Linux security features, including SELinux enforcement, Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR) and NX (No-Execute) memory protection, significantly increase the difficulty of achieving arbitrary code execution, limiting the impact of this vulnerability.
Mitigation
Red Hat has investigated whether a possible mitigation exists for this issue, and has not been able to identify a practical example. Please update the affected package as soon as possible.
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).
The following CVSS metrics and score provided are preliminary and subject to review.
CVSS v3 Score Breakdown
| Red Hat | NVD | cve.org | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Score | 8.1 | N/A | N/A |
| Attack Vector | Network | N/A | N/A |
| Attack Complexity | High | N/A | N/A |
| Privileges Required | None | N/A | N/A |
| User Interaction | None | N/A | N/A |
| Scope | Unchanged | N/A | N/A |
| Confidentiality | High | N/A | N/A |
| Integrity Impact | High | N/A | N/A |
| Availability Impact | High | N/A | N/A |
Vector
Red Hat: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Understanding the Weakness (CWE)
Integrity,Confidentiality,Availability
Technical Impact: Modify Memory; Execute Unauthorized Code or Commands
Buffer overflows often can be used to execute arbitrary code, which is usually outside the scope of the product's implicit security policy. This can often be used to subvert any other security service.
Availability
Technical Impact: Modify Memory; DoS: Crash, Exit, or Restart; DoS: Resource Consumption (CPU)
Buffer overflows generally lead to crashes. Other attacks leading to lack of availability are possible, including putting the product into an infinite loop.
Frequently Asked Questions
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