CVE-2018-25305 in librsvg2-bin
Summary
by MITRE • 04/29/2026
librsvg2-bin 2.40.13 contains a buffer overflow vulnerability that allows local attackers to cause a denial of service by processing malformed SVG files. Attackers can supply crafted SVG input to the rsvg conversion tool to trigger a segmentation fault in the cairo image compositor.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/16/2026
The vulnerability in librsvg2-bin version 2.40.13 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw that manifests when processing malformed svg files through the rsvg conversion tool. This issue stems from insufficient input validation and memory management within the library's svg parsing routines, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by local attackers to disrupt system operations. The vulnerability specifically targets the cairo image compositor component which handles the rendering of vector graphics, making it particularly dangerous in environments where svg processing is common.
Technical exploitation of this buffer overflow occurs when the rsvg tool encounters malformed svg input that exceeds allocated buffer boundaries during parsing operations. The flaw allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations through crafted svg payloads, leading to segmentation faults that crash the application and potentially the entire system process. This type of vulnerability falls under the common weakness enumeration CWE-121, which categorizes buffer overflow conditions that occur when insufficient bounds checking allows memory writes beyond allocated buffer limits. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires only local execution privileges and can be triggered through normal svg processing operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it can compromise system stability and availability in production environments where svg rendering is frequently utilized. Systems running affected versions of librsvg2-bin may experience unexpected crashes during normal svg processing operations, leading to service interruptions and potential data loss. In server environments, this vulnerability could be exploited to repeatedly crash critical applications that depend on svg rendering capabilities, effectively creating a persistent denial of service condition. The vulnerability also presents risks in sandboxed environments where svg processing occurs, as successful exploitation could potentially lead to privilege escalation or information disclosure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of affected systems to the latest stable version of librsvg2-bin that contains the relevant security fixes. System administrators should implement strict input validation procedures for all svg files processed by applications, including implementing file size limits and format verification checks. Network segmentation and privilege separation can help limit the potential impact of exploitation attempts, while monitoring systems should be deployed to detect unusual process crashes or memory allocation patterns. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security audits and vulnerability assessments, particularly for libraries and components that handle untrusted input data. Organizations should consider implementing automated patch management systems to ensure rapid deployment of security updates and maintain up-to-date threat intelligence to identify similar vulnerabilities in other software components. Additionally, the use of sandboxing technologies and application whitelisting can provide additional protection layers against exploitation attempts targeting this type of buffer overflow vulnerability.