CVE-2026-28692 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, MAT decoder uses 32-bit arithmetic due to incorrect parenthesization resulting in a heap over-read. 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
ImageMagick represents a widely deployed image processing library that serves as a critical component in numerous software applications across web platforms, content management systems, and digital asset management solutions. The software's extensive adoption makes it a prime target for adversaries seeking to exploit vulnerabilities that could lead to system compromise or unauthorized access to sensitive data. This particular vulnerability affects the MAT decoder within the ImageMagick framework, which processes specific image formats that are commonly encountered in web environments and digital media workflows.
The technical flaw stems from improper parenthesization in the MAT decoder implementation that causes the software to utilize 32-bit arithmetic operations instead of the intended 64-bit calculations. This arithmetic error creates a condition where memory access patterns become unpredictable and potentially dangerous when processing specially crafted image files. The incorrect evaluation of mathematical expressions leads to heap memory being accessed beyond its allocated boundaries, resulting in a heap over-read condition that can expose sensitive memory contents or potentially allow for memory corruption attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption as it creates opportunities for attackers to extract confidential information from memory segments, potentially including cryptographic keys, user credentials, or application data. The heap over-read condition could be exploited to gain insights into the memory layout of the running process, which may aid in more sophisticated attacks such as information disclosure or privilege escalation. Given that ImageMagick is often used in web applications where user-uploaded images are processed, this vulnerability creates a direct attack surface that could be leveraged by malicious actors to compromise web servers or applications that rely on the library for image processing.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patching of affected ImageMagick installations to versions 7.1.2-16 or 6.9.13-41 where the arithmetic error has been corrected. Organizations should implement comprehensive vulnerability management processes that include regular security assessments of third-party libraries and dependencies. Additional protective measures include implementing strict input validation for image files, deploying web application firewalls to monitor for suspicious image processing requests, and establishing monitoring protocols to detect anomalous behavior that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of array index values, and may map to ATT&CK technique T1203, involving exploitation of software vulnerabilities for privilege escalation or information gathering purposes.