nothings stb: Heap-based Buffer Overflow
CVE-2026-18497 is a high-severity heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability in nothings stb from Sean Barrett (nothings), with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.1 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. Affected nothings stb versions: 1.26. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. 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.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Check which version of nothings stb you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- 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
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sean Barrett (nothings) | nothings stb | 1.26 | Not stated |
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
- NoneNothing can be modified.
- 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:N/A:H. Scored by CISA (ADP).
Official description
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.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Heap-based Buffer Overflow
The product writes past the end of a buffer that was allocated on the heap.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Pre-design: Use a language or compiler that performs automatic bounds checking.
- Use an abstraction library to abstract away risky APIs. Not a complete solution.
- 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.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: poc, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Other references
Recent Heap-based Buffer Overflow vulnerabilities
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.3 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
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