LIBPNG is a reference library for use in applications that read, create, and manipulate PNG (Portable Network Graphics) raster image files. In versions 1.2.1 through 1.6.55, `png_set_tRNS` and `png_set_PLTE` each alias a heap-allocated buffer between `png_struct` and `png_info`, sharing a single allocation across two structs with independent lifetimes. The `trans_alpha` aliasing has been present since at least libpng 1.0, and the `palette` aliasing since at least 1.2.1. Both affect all prior release lines `png_set_tRNS` sets `png_ptr->trans_alpha = info_ptr->trans_alpha` (256-byte buffer) and `png_set_PLTE` sets `info_ptr->palette = png_ptr->palette` (768-byte buffer). In both cases, calling `png_free_data` (with `PNG_FREE_TRNS` or `PNG_FREE_PLTE`) frees the buffer through `info_ptr` while the corresponding `png_ptr` pointer remains dangling. Subsequent row-transform functions dereference and, in some code paths, write to the freed memory. A second call to `png_set_tRNS` or `png_set_PLTE` has the same effect, because both functions call `png_free_data` internally before reallocating the `info_ptr` buffer. Version 1.6.56 fixes the issue.
References
Configurations
History
02 Apr 2026, 20:28
| Type | Values Removed | Values Added |
|---|---|---|
| CPE | cpe:2.3:a:libpng:libpng:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | |
| First Time |
Libpng
Libpng libpng |
|
| References | () https://github.com/pnggroup/libpng/commit/23019269764e35ed8458e517f1897bd3c54820eb - Patch | |
| References | () https://github.com/pnggroup/libpng/commit/7ea9eea884a2328cc7fdcb3c0c00246a50d90667 - Patch | |
| References | () https://github.com/pnggroup/libpng/commit/a3a21443ed12bfa1ef46fa0d4fb2b74a0fa34a25 - Patch | |
| References | () https://github.com/pnggroup/libpng/commit/c1b0318b393c90679e6fa5bc1d329fd5d5012ec1 - Patch | |
| References | () https://github.com/pnggroup/libpng/pull/824 - Issue Tracking, Exploit | |
| References | () https://github.com/pnggroup/libpng/security/advisories/GHSA-m4pc-p4q3-4c7j - Patch, Vendor Advisory |
30 Mar 2026, 13:26
| Type | Values Removed | Values Added |
|---|---|---|
| Summary |
|
26 Mar 2026, 17:16
| Type | Values Removed | Values Added |
|---|---|---|
| New CVE |
Information
Published : 2026-03-26 17:16
Updated : 2026-04-02 20:28
NVD link : CVE-2026-33416
Mitre link : CVE-2026-33416
CVE.ORG link : CVE-2026-33416
JSON object : View
Products Affected
libpng
- libpng
CWE
CWE-416
Use After Free
