libsixel: Out-of-bounds Read
CVE-2026-33019 is a high-severity out-of-bounds read vulnerability in libsixel from Saitoha, 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 libsixel versions: < 1.8.7-r1. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.27% 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 libsixel you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- Read the advisory on github.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- 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
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 CNA (github.com).
Official description
libsixel is a SIXEL encoder/decoder implementation derived from kmiya's sixel. Versions 1.8.7 and prior contain an integer overflow leading to an out-of-bounds heap read in the --crop option handling of img2sixel, where positive coordinates up to INT_MAX are accepted without overflow-safe bounds checking. In sixel_encoder_do_clip(), the expression clip_w + clip_x overflows to a large negative value when clip_x is INT_MAX, causing the bounds guard to be skipped entirely, and the unclamped coordinate is passed through sixel_frame_clip() to clip(), which computes a source pointer far beyond the image buffer and passes it to memmove(). An attacker supplying a specially crafted crop argument with any valid image can trigger an out-of-bounds read in the heap, resulting in a reliable crash and potential information disclosure. This issue has been fixed in version 1.8.7-r1.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Out-of-bounds Read
The product reads data past the end, or before the beginning, of the intended buffer.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Use a language that provides appropriate memory abstractions.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: poc, automatable: no, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Advisories
Patches and release notes
- github.com/saitoha/libsixel/releases/tag/v1.8.7-r1Release Notes
Other vulnerabilities in libsixel
- 7.1 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.3 High severity
- 7.1 High severity
- 7.0 High severity
Recent Out-of-bounds Read vulnerabilities
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.1 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
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