vtk: Expired Pointer Dereference
CVE-2026-42057 is a high-severity expired pointer dereference vulnerability in vtk, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.5 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected vtk versions: 9.6. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.28% 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 vtk you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
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
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- NoneNo data is disclosed.
- Integrity
- NoneNothing can be modified.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H. Scored by CNA (cisco.com).
Official description
An invalid pointer dereference vulnerability exists in the vtkPNGReader::vtkPNGReaderUpdate2 functionality of vtk 9.6. A specially crafted .png file can lead to a denial of service. An attacker can provide a malicious file to trigger this vulnerability.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Expired Pointer Dereference
The product dereferences a pointer that contains a location for memory that was previously valid, but is no longer valid.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Choose a language that provides automatic memory management.
- When freeing pointers, be sure to set them to NULL once they are freed. However, the utilization of multiple or complex data structures may lower the usefulness of this strategy.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: yes, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Other vulnerabilities in vtk
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.2 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
Recent Expired Pointer Dereference vulnerabilities
- 7.0 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 8.2 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
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