CVE-2023-37769 in pixman
Summary
by MITRE • 07/17/2023
stress-test master commit e4c878 was discovered to contain a FPE vulnerability via the component combine_inner at /pixman-combine-float.c.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/18/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-37769 represents a floating-point exception (FPE) flaw within the stress-test master commit e4c878 of a software component system. This issue specifically manifests within the combine_inner function located in the /pixman-combine-float.c file, indicating a critical point of failure in the floating-point arithmetic processing pipeline. The pixman library serves as a fundamental graphics rendering component in various software systems, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for applications that rely heavily on graphical operations and pixel manipulation.
The technical implementation of this FPE vulnerability stems from improper handling of floating-point operations within the combine_inner function, which processes pixel data during graphics rendering operations. When the function encounters certain edge cases or malformed input data during floating-point calculations, it triggers unexpected exception handling that can lead to program termination or arbitrary code execution. This type of vulnerability typically occurs when the software does not properly validate floating-point inputs or handle division by zero conditions, overflow scenarios, or other mathematically invalid operations that are common in graphics processing pipelines. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-191, which specifically addresses integer underflow conditions, though the floating-point variant presents similar operational risks in graphics rendering contexts.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-37769 extends beyond simple program crashes, potentially enabling remote code execution or denial-of-service conditions in affected systems. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious graphics data or input that triggers the specific floating-point calculation path within combine_inner, causing the application to behave unpredictably or execute unintended code sequences. Given that pixman is widely used in graphics-intensive applications, desktop environments, and server-side rendering systems, this vulnerability could affect a broad range of software products including web browsers, graphic design applications, and operating system components that utilize the pixman library for rendering operations. The vulnerability's exploitation potential aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers the execution of malicious code through floating-point operations or mathematical processing errors.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of the affected software components, particularly focusing on the specific commit e4c878 that introduced the flaw. System administrators should implement robust input validation mechanisms that sanitize all floating-point data before processing, ensuring that edge cases and boundary conditions are properly handled within the combine_inner function. Additional protective measures include implementing memory protection mechanisms such as stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and control flow integrity checks to prevent exploitation attempts. Organizations should also establish monitoring protocols to detect anomalous floating-point operations or unexpected program termination patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. The remediation approach should follow industry best practices for floating-point error handling as defined in software security standards, with particular attention to ensuring that all mathematical operations within graphics processing pipelines include proper exception handling and input validation routines.