CVE-2026-25794 in ImageMagick
Summary
by MITRE • 02/24/2026
ImageMagick is free and open-source software used for editing and manipulating digital images. `WriteUHDRImage` in `coders/uhdr.c` uses `int` arithmetic to compute the pixel buffer size. Prior to version 7.1.2-15, when image dimensions are large, the multiplication overflows 32-bit `int`, causing an undersized heap allocation followed by an out-of-bounds write. This can crash the process or potentially lead to an out of bounds heap write. Version 7.1.2-15 contains a patch.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/01/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2026-25794 resides within ImageMagick, a widely-used free and open-source software suite for digital image editing and manipulation. This particular flaw manifests in the `WriteUHDRImage` function located in the `coders/uhdr.c` source file, representing a critical memory safety issue that affects versions prior to 7.1.2-15. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of integer arithmetic during buffer size calculations, creating a scenario where heap memory allocation becomes insufficient for the actual data requirements.
The technical flaw involves the use of 32-bit integer arithmetic to compute pixel buffer sizes when processing image dimensions. When dealing with large images, the multiplication operation that determines the required buffer size exceeds the maximum value that can be represented by a 32-bit signed integer, resulting in integer overflow. This overflow condition causes the system to allocate a heap buffer that is significantly smaller than the actual amount of data that needs to be written, creating a scenario where subsequent write operations attempt to store data beyond the allocated memory boundaries.
This memory corruption vulnerability presents significant operational risks that extend beyond simple process crashes. The out-of-bounds heap write condition can potentially allow attackers to execute arbitrary code through memory corruption techniques, making this a severe security concern for systems that process untrusted image files. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow and underflow conditions, and represents a classic example of how improper integer handling can lead to memory safety issues. From an adversary perspective, this flaw maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as successful exploitation could enable remote code execution through crafted image files processed by vulnerable ImageMagick installations.
The impact of this vulnerability extends across various deployment scenarios where ImageMagick is utilized, including web applications, content management systems, and digital asset management platforms that process user-uploaded images. Systems that automatically process or convert images without proper input validation become particularly vulnerable to exploitation, as attackers can craft malicious image files that trigger the overflow condition during processing. The patch implemented in version 7.1.2-15 addresses this issue by correcting the integer arithmetic to properly handle large image dimensions and prevent the overflow condition that leads to insufficient heap allocation.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation of this vulnerability by upgrading to ImageMagick version 7.1.2-15 or later, as the patch specifically addresses the integer overflow in the buffer size calculation. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and sanitization measures for image file processing, combined with restricted file type handling and memory protection mechanisms, can provide additional layers of defense. Security teams should also consider monitoring for potential exploitation attempts through automated scanning tools that can detect malformed image files designed to trigger this specific vulnerability, ensuring comprehensive protection against both current and emerging threats targeting similar memory safety issues in image processing libraries.