CVE-2026-106576 in ImageMagick
Summary
by MITRE • 10/07/2026
ImageMagick is free and open-source software used for editing and manipulating digital images. Prior to 7.1.2-31, a crafted XMP profile can trigger excessive work while the parser determines a rational value's numerator and denominator, causing denial of service. This issue is fixed in version 7.1.2-31.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/07/2026
ImageMagick serves as a foundational toolset for digital image processing across numerous software ecosystems, enabling operations ranging from simple format conversions to complex algorithmic manipulations. The vulnerability identified within versions prior to 7.1.2-31 resides in the component responsible for parsing Extensible Metadata Platform profiles embedded within images. XMP metadata is widely utilized to store descriptive information about digital assets, and while it offers significant utility for content management systems, its complexity introduces potential attack surfaces when parsers are not rigorously constrained against malformed inputs.
The core technical flaw involves a logic error in the rational number parsing routine used by the XMP parser. When processing crafted or maliciously constructed XMP profiles containing specific numerical structures, the software enters an excessive computational loop while attempting to determine the numerator and denominator of a rational value. This behavior indicates that the input validation mechanism fails to properly bound the complexity of arithmetic operations performed during metadata extraction. Instead of rejecting invalid or overly complex data structures promptly, the parser engages in prolonged processing cycles, effectively consuming available CPU resources without progressing toward completion.
From an operational perspective, this flaw manifests as a denial of service condition for applications relying on ImageMagick for image handling services. Since many web servers and content management platforms process uploaded images automatically to generate thumbnails or validate file types, the presence of such crafted files can trigger resource exhaustion at scale. Attackers can exploit this by uploading specially designed images that force backend processes into infinite or near-infinite loops. This results in service degradation for legitimate users, potential server crashes due to memory pressure if stack overflow occurs alongside CPU saturation, and increased infrastructure costs as resources are consumed disproportionately by malicious requests rather than productive tasks.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-400, which classifies uncontrolled resource consumption leading to denial of service conditions. Furthermore, in the context of adversary tactics, this behavior corresponds to ATT&CK technique T1496, Resource Hijacking, where attackers leverage compromised or vulnerable systems for computational purposes that degrade availability. The exploitation vector typically involves remote interaction with a web-facing application that processes user-uploaded images without sufficient sanitization or resource limits on parsing operations.
Mitigation strategies primarily involve upgrading to ImageMagick version 7.1.2-31 or later, where the rational value parsing logic has been corrected to prevent excessive computational work. For environments unable to patch immediately, implementing strict input validation at the application layer is recommended. This includes limiting the size and complexity of metadata fields accepted during image processing. Additionally, deploying resource limits such as CPU time quotas for worker processes handling untrusted images can mitigate the impact by terminating long-running parsing operations before they exhaust system resources. Security teams should also audit their use of ImageMagick to ensure that only necessary delegates are enabled and that input data is sanitized according to least privilege principles.