CVE-2026-109277 in ImageMagick
Summary
by MITRE • 10/12/2026
ImageMagick before 7.1.2-32 contains a policy bypass vulnerability in the -script operation due to missing checks on file descriptor handling. Attackers can use the -script operation to close file descriptors not opened by the current operation, circumventing configured security policies.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/12/2026
ImageMagick is a widely used open-source software suite for creating, editing, and converting image files in various formats. Prior to version 7.1.2-32, it contained a critical policy bypass vulnerability within its -script operation mechanism. This flaw stems from insufficient validation of file descriptor handling during the execution of script-based operations. The core technical issue lies in the application's failure to restrict which file descriptors can be manipulated or closed by user-supplied scripts. In Unix-like operating systems, file descriptors are abstract indicators used to access input, output, and other resources such as files, network sockets, or pipes. By allowing arbitrary closure of these descriptors without verifying their origin or relevance to the current operation, ImageMagick inadvertently exposes a pathway for attackers to interfere with system-level resource management.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant because it allows an attacker to circumvent configured security policies designed to restrict certain actions within ImageMagick. Security policies in ImageMagick are typically defined in policy.xml files and serve as a first line of defense against malicious image processing, such as preventing the execution of external programs or limiting resource usage. When an attacker utilizes the -script operation to close file descriptors not opened by the current process context, they can disrupt the internal state management of the application. This disruption may lead to unexpected behavior, including denial of service conditions where legitimate processes lose access to necessary resources, or potentially enable further exploitation vectors if those closed descriptors were critical for maintaining secure boundaries between operations.
From a classification perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-787: Out-of-bounds Write and CWE-200: Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor, depending on the specific outcome of the descriptor manipulation. It also relates to CWE-159: Improper Handling of Invalid Input Parameters, as the application fails to validate whether the file descriptors targeted for closure are legitimate within the current execution context. In terms of attack tactics, this behavior corresponds to MITRE ATT&CK technique T1074: Data Staged or T1083: File and Directory Discovery if the descriptor manipulation leads to unauthorized access to system files. More directly, it reflects aspects of privilege escalation through resource exhaustion or state confusion, akin to CWE-269: Improper Privilege Management, since bypassing security policies effectively grants capabilities that should be restricted by administrative configuration.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve upgrading ImageMagick to version 7.1.2-32 or later, where the file descriptor handling logic has been corrected to ensure only descriptors opened within the current operation scope can be manipulated. For environments unable to immediately upgrade, administrators should enforce strict security policies in policy.xml that disable script execution entirely if not required for legitimate workflows. Additionally, running ImageMagick with reduced privileges using containerization or sandboxing techniques can limit the impact of any successful exploitation by isolating file descriptor access from critical system resources. Regular auditing of image processing pipelines and monitoring for anomalous resource usage patterns can also help detect potential attempts to exploit this flaw before significant damage occurs.