CVE-2026-24485 in ImageMagick
Summary
by MITRE • 02/24/2026
ImageMagick is free and open-source software used for editing and manipulating digital images. Prior to versions 7.1.2-15 and 6.9.13-40, when a PCD file does not contain a valid Sync marker, the DecodeImage() function becomes trapped in an infinite loop while searching for the Sync marker, causing the program to become unresponsive and continuously consume CPU resources, ultimately leading to system resource exhaustion and denial of service. Versions 7.1.2-15 and 6.9.13-40 contain a patch.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/21/2026
ImageMagick represents a widely deployed image processing library that handles numerous graphic file formats including PCD (Photo CD) files. The vulnerability described in CVE-2026-24485 specifically targets the DecodeImage() function within the PCD file handling code. This flaw manifests when processing malformed PCD files that lack a valid Sync marker, which is a required identifier within the PCD format specification. The absence of this marker triggers a critical software defect where the decoding routine enters an infinite loop, continuously searching for the missing synchronization element without proper termination conditions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and error handling within the PCD parser. When the DecodeImage() function encounters a PCD file without a valid Sync marker, it fails to implement proper bounds checking or timeout mechanisms that would normally terminate processing after a reasonable number of attempts. This behavior creates a classic denial of service scenario where system resources become consumed indefinitely, with the CPU utilization reaching 100% as the function perpetually executes its search loop. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-835, which specifically addresses infinite loops without proper termination conditions, making it particularly dangerous in environments where ImageMagick processes untrusted user input.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple resource exhaustion, as it can be exploited to disrupt services across multiple platforms where ImageMagick is deployed. Systems processing PCD files through ImageMagick, including web applications, content management systems, and automated image processing pipelines, become vulnerable to sustained denial of service attacks. The vulnerability affects both major branches of ImageMagick, with version 7.1.2-15 and 6.9.13-40 providing the necessary patches to address the issue. Organizations using older versions face significant risk as attackers can craft malicious PCD files that trigger this behavior, leading to complete service disruption and potential system instability. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which covers network denial of service attacks through resource exhaustion.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of all affected ImageMagick installations to versions 7.1.2-15 or 6.9.13-40, depending on the specific version in use. Additionally, organizations should implement input validation measures that filter or reject PCD files lacking proper synchronization markers before they reach the vulnerable DecodeImage() function. Network-level protections can include rate limiting and file type restrictions to prevent exploitation through web interfaces. System administrators should also consider implementing monitoring solutions that detect unusual CPU usage patterns indicative of infinite loop conditions. The patch addresses the root cause by introducing proper termination conditions and bounds checking within the PCD parser, ensuring that the DecodeImage() function will not enter infinite loops when encountering malformed input files. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all systems running vulnerable versions of ImageMagick and establish monitoring protocols to detect potential exploitation attempts.