CVE-2025-66293

LIBPNG is a reference library for use in applications that read, create, and manipulate PNG (Portable Network Graphics) raster image files. Prior to 1.6.52, an out-of-bounds read vulnerability in libpngs simplified API allows reading up to 1012 bytes beyond the png_sRGB_base[512] array when processing valid palette PNG images with partial transparency and gamma correction. The PNG files that trigger this vulnerability are valid per the PNG specification; the bug is in libpngs internal state management. Upgrade to libpng 1.6.52 or later.

Weakness

The product reads data past the end, or before the beginning, of the intended buffer.

Affected Software

Potential Mitigations

• Assume all input is malicious. Use an “accept known good” input validation strategy, i.e., use a list of acceptable inputs that strictly conform to specifications. Reject any input that does not strictly conform to specifications, or transform it into something that does.
• When performing input validation, consider all potentially relevant properties, including length, type of input, the full range of acceptable values, missing or extra inputs, syntax, consistency across related fields, and conformance to business rules. As an example of business rule logic, “boat” may be syntactically valid because it only contains alphanumeric characters, but it is not valid if the input is only expected to contain colors such as “red” or “blue.”
• Do not rely exclusively on looking for malicious or malformed inputs. This is likely to miss at least one undesirable input, especially if the code’s environment changes. This can give attackers enough room to bypass the intended validation. However, denylists can be useful for detecting potential attacks or determining which inputs are so malformed that they should be rejected outright.
• To reduce the likelihood of introducing an out-of-bounds read, ensure that you validate and ensure correct calculations for any length argument, buffer size calculation, or offset. Be especially careful of relying on a sentinel (i.e. special character such as NUL) in untrusted inputs.

Related Attack Patterns

• https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/540.html

References

• https://github.com/pnggroup/libpng/commit/788a624d7387a758ffd5c7ab010f1870dea753a1
• https://github.com/pnggroup/libpng/commit/a05a48b756de63e3234ea6b3b938b8f5f862484a
• https://github.com/pnggroup/libpng/issues/764
• https://github.com/pnggroup/libpng/security/advisories/GHSA-9mpm-9pxh-mg4f
• http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2025/12/03/6
• http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2025/12/03/7
• http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2025/12/03/8
• https://github.com/pnggroup/libpng/issues/764