CVE-2022-28041 in stb
Summary
by MITRE • 04/15/2022
stb_image.h v2.27 was discovered to contain an integer overflow via the function stbi__jpeg_decode_block_prog_dc. This vulnerability allows attackers to cause a Denial of Service (DoS) via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/16/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-28041 affects the stb_image.h library version 2.27, specifically within the stbi__jpeg_decode_block_prog_dc function. This library serves as a lightweight single-header library for loading and decoding various image formats including jpeg png and gif within C and C++ applications. The integer overflow occurs during the processing of jpeg images when the library attempts to decode progressive jpeg blocks containing DC coefficients. This flaw represents a classic software security issue where arithmetic operations exceed the maximum representable value for the data type being used, potentially leading to unexpected behavior in the application's memory management and control flow.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking within the jpeg decoding logic where integer variables representing image dimensions or coefficient counts are incremented or decremented without adequate validation against their maximum values. When processing specially crafted malicious jpeg files the integer overflow can cause the program to allocate insufficient memory or access invalid memory locations, resulting in program termination or unpredictable behavior. The vulnerability's classification as a denial of service issue indicates that attackers can trigger system instability or complete service unavailability through controlled input manipulation, though the specific attack vectors remain unspecified in the public description.
From an operational perspective this vulnerability presents significant risk to applications that rely on stb_image.h for image processing, particularly those handling untrusted user input such as web applications file upload systems or image processing pipelines. The impact extends beyond simple service disruption as it can potentially be leveraged in broader attack chains where attackers might use the DoS condition as a stepping stone for more sophisticated exploitation techniques. The vulnerability affects a widely used library with millions of downloads per month making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise systems that process jpeg images. Security professionals should note that the lack of specified attack vectors in the CVE description does not diminish the severity but rather suggests the vulnerability may manifest through multiple code paths within the library's jpeg processing functionality.
Organizations should immediately update their stb_image.h library to version 2.28 or later where this integer overflow has been addressed through proper bounds checking and integer overflow prevention mechanisms. The fix typically involves implementing proper validation of image parameters before arithmetic operations and ensuring that all integer calculations within the jpeg decoding process remain within safe operational ranges. System administrators should also consider implementing input validation measures at network boundaries to filter out potentially malicious jpeg files before they reach applications using the vulnerable library. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-190 which specifically addresses integer overflow conditions and relates to ATT&CK technique T1499.004 which covers network denial of service attacks. Additionally the vulnerability demonstrates characteristics of T1068 which involves exploiting weaknesses in remote services and T1566 which encompasses social engineering techniques targeting software vulnerabilities.