CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2026-120433NVD status: Awaiting Analysis

Netpbm: Stack-based Buffer Overflow

Published Updated By the CyberSecBulletin desk

CVE-2026-120433 is a high-severity stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability in Netpbm, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8 out of 10. It can be exploited with local access to the system by an unauthenticated attacker, but only if a user takes part, for example by opening a link or file. The record lists versions 10.86.51, 11.02.30, 11.15.08 as the first without the flaw, so updating Netpbm to one of those releases or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.18% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.

Next patch cycle

High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.

What to do

  1. Update Netpbm to 10.86.51 or 11.02.30 or 11.15.08, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
  2. Because the attack needs a user to take part, warn users about unexpected links and files related to this product until it is patched.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
NetpbmNetpbmbefore 10.86.51; 11.0 up to, but not including, 11.02.30; 11.03 up to, but not including, 11.15.0810.86.51, 11.02.30, 11.15.08

Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.

How the severity score breaks down

Attack vector
LocalThe attacker needs local access or must trick a user into running something.
Attack complexity
LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
Privileges required
NoneNo account or login is needed.
User interaction
RequiredA user must take an action such as opening a file or link.
Scope
UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
Confidentiality
HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
Integrity
HighData or code can be modified at will.
Availability
HighThe component can be taken down completely.

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA (vulncheck.com).

Scoring systemScoreSeverityScored by
CVSS 4.08.5HighCNA (vulncheck.com)
CVSS 3.17.8HighCNA (vulncheck.com)

Official description

Netpbm before 10.86.51, 11.x before 11.02.30, and 11.03 before 11.15.08 contains a stack-based buffer overflow in the picttoppm paintPoly() function due to an unbounded polygon point count. Attackers can supply a crafted PICT file with a polygon exceeding 100 points to overwrite the fixed pts array, causing crashes or potentially code execution.

Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.

The underlying weakness: Stack-based Buffer Overflow

The product writes past the end of a buffer that was allocated on the stack.

How developers prevent this class of flaw

  • Use automatic buffer overflow detection mechanisms that are offered by certain compilers or compiler extensions. Examples include: the Microsoft Visual Studio /GS flag, Fedora/Red Hat FORTIFY_SOURCE GCC flag, StackGuard, and ProPolice, which provide various mechanisms including canary-based detection and range/index checking. D3-SFCV (Stack Frame Canary Validation) from D3FEND discusses canary-based detection in detail.
  • Use an abstraction library to abstract away risky APIs. Not a complete solution.
  • Implement and perform bounds checking on input.

More Stack-based Buffer Overflow vulnerabilities (CWE-121)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).

References

Other vulnerabilities in Netpbm

All Netpbm vulnerabilities

Recent Stack-based Buffer Overflow vulnerabilities

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