ImageMagick: Out-of-bounds Read
CVE-2026-56378 is a high-severity out-of-bounds read vulnerability in ImageMagick, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.2 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. The record lists versions 7.1.2-15, 6.9.13-40 as the first without the flaw, so updating ImageMagick to one of those releases or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.39% 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
- Update ImageMagick to 7.1.2-15 or 6.9.13-40, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Read the advisory on github.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| ImageMagick | ImageMagick | 7.0.0 up to, but not including, 7.1.2-15; before 6.9.13-40 | 7.1.2-15, 6.9.13-40 |
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
- LowSome restricted data can be read.
- 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:L/I:N/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 4.0 | 6.3 | Medium | CNA (vulncheck.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 3.7 | Low | CNA (vulncheck.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 8.2 | High | NVD |
Official description
ImageMagick before 7.1.2-15 (and 6.x before 6.9.13-40) contains a heap out-of-bounds read in the PCD coder's DecodeImage loop. A crafted PCD file can trigger a one-byte heap out-of-bounds read during image decoding, resulting in denial of service and potential disclosure of an adjacent heap byte.
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: none, automatable: no, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Advisories
- github.com/ImageMagick/ImageMagick/security/advisories/GHSA-wgxp-q8xq-wpp9Third Party Advisory
Third-party and government advisories
- vulncheck.com/advisories/imagemagick-heap-out-of-bounds-read-in-pcd-decoderThird Party Advisory
Other vulnerabilities in ImageMagick
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
Recent Out-of-bounds Read vulnerabilities
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 7.1 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
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