CVE-2026-26066 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, a crafted profile contain invalid IPTC data may cause an infinite loop when writing it with `IPTCTEXT`. 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
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2026-26066 affects ImageMagick, a widely-used open-source software suite for image editing and manipulation that processes numerous image formats including jpeg tiff and png. This flaw manifests when the software encounters specially crafted image files containing malformed IPTC metadata, specifically when attempting to write IPTC text data using the IPTCTEXT functionality. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and error handling within the IPTC profile processing module, creating a condition where malformed data can trigger unexpected behavior in the software's processing pipeline.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper handling of invalid IPTC data structures during the image writing process. When ImageMagick encounters malformed IPTC metadata within an image file, particularly when processing IPTCTEXT elements, the software enters into an infinite loop scenario. This occurs because the parsing routine lacks proper bounds checking and termination conditions for malformed data sequences, causing the execution to repeatedly process the same invalid data segment without making forward progress. The vulnerability specifically affects the IPTC profile handling code path and demonstrates a classic example of a denial of service condition that can be triggered through crafted input data.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to systems that process untrusted image files, particularly web applications, content management systems, and automated image processing pipelines. An attacker could exploit this weakness by uploading or submitting an image file containing the malicious IPTC profile, causing the target system to consume excessive CPU resources and potentially become unresponsive. The infinite loop condition effectively prevents the system from processing other requests while the malicious file is being handled, creating a denial of service scenario that can impact availability of critical services. This vulnerability can be particularly dangerous in high-traffic environments where resource exhaustion could lead to cascading failures across dependent systems.
The remediation for CVE-2026-26066 involves updating ImageMagick installations to versions 7.1.2-15 or 6.9.13-40, which contain the necessary patches to address the IPTC data handling issue. These updates implement proper bounds checking and termination conditions for IPTC profile processing, preventing the infinite loop scenario from occurring. Organizations should prioritize patching their ImageMagick installations, particularly those running versions prior to the patched releases, and consider implementing additional input validation measures for image files in their processing pipelines. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-835 which specifically addresses infinite loops in software implementations and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1499.004 related to network denial of service attacks, emphasizing the importance of proper input validation and error handling in image processing libraries that handle untrusted content.