CVE-2026-33416

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.
Configurations

Configuration 1 (hide)

cpe:2.3:a:libpng:libpng:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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 - () https://github.com/pnggroup/libpng/commit/23019269764e35ed8458e517f1897bd3c54820eb - Patch
References () https://github.com/pnggroup/libpng/commit/7ea9eea884a2328cc7fdcb3c0c00246a50d90667 - () https://github.com/pnggroup/libpng/commit/7ea9eea884a2328cc7fdcb3c0c00246a50d90667 - Patch
References () https://github.com/pnggroup/libpng/commit/a3a21443ed12bfa1ef46fa0d4fb2b74a0fa34a25 - () https://github.com/pnggroup/libpng/commit/a3a21443ed12bfa1ef46fa0d4fb2b74a0fa34a25 - Patch
References () https://github.com/pnggroup/libpng/commit/c1b0318b393c90679e6fa5bc1d329fd5d5012ec1 - () https://github.com/pnggroup/libpng/commit/c1b0318b393c90679e6fa5bc1d329fd5d5012ec1 - Patch
References () https://github.com/pnggroup/libpng/pull/824 - () https://github.com/pnggroup/libpng/pull/824 - Issue Tracking, Exploit
References () https://github.com/pnggroup/libpng/security/advisories/GHSA-m4pc-p4q3-4c7j - () 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
  • (es) LIBPNG es una biblioteca de referencia para su uso en aplicaciones que leen, crean y manipulan archivos de imagen ráster PNG (Portable Network Graphics). En las versiones 1.2.1 a 1.6.55, 'png_set_tRNS' y 'png_set_PLTE' cada una aliasan un búfer asignado en el heap entre 'png_struct' y 'png_info', compartiendo una única asignación entre dos estructuras con vidas útiles independientes. El aliasing de 'trans_alpha' ha estado presente desde al menos libpng 1.0, y el aliasing de 'palette' desde al menos 1.2.1. Ambos afectan a todas las líneas de versiones anteriores: 'png_set_tRNS' establece 'png_ptr->trans_alpha = info_ptr->trans_alpha' (búfer de 256 bytes) y 'png_set_PLTE' establece 'info_ptr->palette = png_ptr->palette' (búfer de 768 bytes). En ambos casos, llamar a 'png_free_data' (con 'PNG_FREE_TRNS' o 'PNG_FREE_PLTE') libera el búfer a través de 'info_ptr' mientras que el puntero 'png_ptr' correspondiente permanece colgante. Las funciones de transformación de fila subsiguientes desreferencian y, en algunas rutas de código, escriben en la memoria liberada. Una segunda llamada a 'png_set_tRNS' o 'png_set_PLTE' tiene el mismo efecto, porque ambas funciones llaman internamente a 'png_free_data' antes de reasignar el búfer de 'info_ptr'. La versión 1.6.56 corrige el problema.

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

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