CVE-2026-105823 in ImageMagick
Summary
by MITRE • 10/08/2026
ImageMagick before 6.9.13-56 and 7.x before 7.1.2-31 lacks a security policy check in the CUT encoder, allowing configured security policies to be bypassed. Attackers can supply crafted input processed by the CUT encoder to crash the application or leak sensitive data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/08/2026
The vulnerability identified in ImageMagick versions prior to 6.9.13-56 and 7.x before 7.1.2-31 represents a critical failure in access control mechanisms within the image processing library's CUT encoder module. This flaw stems from an omission of essential security policy enforcement during the encoding process, specifically when handling data formatted for the CUT (Compressed Uncompressed Targa) file structure. ImageMagick relies heavily on configuration files known as policy.xml to define restrictions on resource usage and allowed operations, such as limiting memory allocation or restricting access to certain file formats. The absence of a check in this specific encoder path allows an attacker to circumvent these configured safeguards entirely. This bypass is particularly dangerous because it undermines the defensive posture established by system administrators who have attempted to harden the environment against malicious image processing attacks.
From a technical perspective, the CUT encoder processes input data that may contain crafted payloads designed to exploit memory management weaknesses or trigger logic errors within the application. Because the security policy check is missing, operations that should be denied based on resource limits or format restrictions are permitted to execute. This lack of validation enables attackers to supply specially constructed inputs that can lead to severe operational impacts. The primary consequences include denial of service through application crashes and potential information disclosure where sensitive data residing in memory may be leaked due to improper handling of the crafted input. These outcomes align with common vulnerability classifications such as CWE-20 Improper Input Validation, which describes failures to verify or sanitize user-supplied data before processing it.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for any organization relying on ImageMagick for automated image manipulation tasks, including web applications that accept user-uploaded images. An attacker can exploit this flaw by uploading a maliciously crafted CUT file or manipulating parameters in an API call to trigger the vulnerable code path. The resulting crash disrupts service availability, causing denial of service conditions that affect end-users and potentially destabilize backend systems. Furthermore, if the application is configured to return detailed error messages or debug information during crashes, attackers may leverage this for further reconnaissance or data exfiltration. This scenario reflects techniques observed in real-world attacks where resource exhaustion and memory corruption are used as vectors for disruption and unauthorized access.
Mitigation strategies must focus on immediate version updates and configuration hardening. The most effective remediation is to upgrade ImageMagick to version 6.9.13-56 or later, or version 7.1.2-31 and above, where the security policy check has been properly implemented in the CUT encoder. Organizations should also review their policy.xml configurations to ensure that restrictive policies are correctly applied across all supported encoders and decoders. Regular auditing of these configuration files is recommended to prevent similar bypasses in other modules. Additionally, implementing input validation at the application layer can provide an additional defense-in-depth measure by filtering out suspicious file types or malformed data before it reaches the ImageMagick library. Monitoring logs for unusual resource consumption patterns related to image processing tasks can also aid in early detection of exploitation attempts.
This vulnerability underscores the importance of comprehensive security policy enforcement across all components of a software suite, not just the primary entry points. The ATT&CK framework categorizes such behaviors under techniques involving resource hijacking and potential data exfiltration if memory leaks are exploitable for information disclosure. By addressing this flaw through timely patching and robust configuration management, organizations can significantly reduce their attack surface and maintain the integrity of their image processing pipelines against sophisticated adversaries seeking to exploit overlooked security controls.