CVE-2026-28686 in ImageMagick
Summary
by MITRE • 03/10/2026
ImageMagick is free and open-source software used for editing and manipulating digital images. Prior to versions 7.1.2-16 and 6.9.13-41, A heap-buffer-overflow vulnerability exists in the PCL encode due to an undersized output buffer allocation. This vulnerability is fixed in 7.1.2-16 and 6.9.13-41.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/22/2026
The heap-buffer-overflow vulnerability in ImageMagick represents a critical security flaw that affects image processing operations within the software's PCL encoding functionality. This vulnerability stems from an insufficient output buffer allocation during the processing of PCL (Printer Command Language) formatted images, creating a scenario where memory operations exceed allocated boundaries. The flaw exists in versions prior to 7.1.2-16 and 6.9.13-41, making these releases particularly susceptible to memory corruption attacks that could be exploited by malicious actors. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple memory management issues as it creates potential entry points for arbitrary code execution within systems that process untrusted image files.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when ImageMagick attempts to encode PCL formatted images and allocates memory buffers that are too small to accommodate the actual output data generated during the encoding process. This undersized buffer allocation creates a condition where subsequent write operations can overwrite adjacent memory regions, potentially corrupting program state or enabling attackers to manipulate memory contents. The heap-based nature of the overflow indicates that the vulnerability occurs within dynamically allocated memory spaces, making exploitation more complex but also more dangerous as it can lead to unpredictable program behavior and potential privilege escalation scenarios. This type of vulnerability is classified under CWE-122 as "Heap-based Buffer Overflow" which specifically addresses buffer overflows occurring in heap memory regions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across numerous computing environments where ImageMagick is deployed as an image processing component, including web applications, content management systems, and digital asset management platforms. Attackers could potentially exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious PCL formatted images that, when processed by vulnerable ImageMagick installations, trigger the buffer overflow condition. This exploitation could result in denial of service conditions, remote code execution, or data corruption depending on the specific attack vector and target environment. The vulnerability's presence in widely used image processing software means that organizations relying on ImageMagick for image manipulation tasks face significant risk, particularly in environments where untrusted image files are processed automatically. The flaw aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 "Exploitation for Client Execution" as it represents a method for executing malicious code through the exploitation of software vulnerabilities in image processing applications.
Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected ImageMagick installations to address this vulnerability, ensuring that all systems running versions prior to 7.1.2-16 and 6.9.13-41 are updated to the patched versions. The mitigation strategy should include comprehensive vulnerability scanning to identify all systems running vulnerable versions of ImageMagick, followed by systematic patch deployment across all affected environments. Additional defensive measures such as input validation, file type restrictions, and sandboxed processing environments can provide additional layers of protection while patches are being deployed. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect potential exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability, particularly in systems that process image files from untrusted sources. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software libraries and implementing proper security controls around image processing functionality in enterprise environments.