CVE-2026-30929 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, MagnifyImage uses a fixed-size stack buffer. When using a specific image it is possible to overflow this buffer and corrupt the stack. 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
CVE-2026-30929 represents a critical stack buffer overflow vulnerability within ImageMagick's MagnifyImage function that affects versions prior to 7.1.2-16 and 6.9.13-41. This vulnerability stems from the improper handling of image data within the image processing pipeline, specifically when the magnification operation is performed on specially crafted image files. The flaw manifests as a fixed-size stack buffer that cannot accommodate the arbitrary data size required for certain image processing operations, creating a potential exploitation vector for remote code execution attacks. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which occurs when a program writes data to a buffer located on the stack and exceeds the buffer's capacity, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited by attackers. The attack surface is particularly concerning given ImageMagick's widespread use across web applications, content management systems, and digital asset management platforms that process user-uploaded images without proper sanitization. When an attacker uploads a maliciously crafted image file that triggers the MagnifyImage function, the buffer overflow can overwrite adjacent stack memory, potentially allowing arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the affected application. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves the exploitation of software vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access and execute malicious code. The impact extends beyond simple privilege escalation as the vulnerability can be leveraged in automated attack chains where malicious images are uploaded to web applications that utilize ImageMagick for image processing, making it a significant concern for organizations that rely on this software for image manipulation tasks.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to craft an image file that, when processed by the MagnifyImage function, causes the stack buffer to overflow. The fixed-size buffer implementation lacks proper bounds checking mechanisms that would prevent writing beyond allocated memory boundaries. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through normal image processing workflows without requiring special privileges or specialized knowledge of the underlying system architecture. The memory corruption that results from this overflow can be manipulated to redirect program execution flow, potentially allowing attackers to inject and execute malicious code within the application context. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices and highlights the importance of implementing robust buffer management techniques in image processing libraries that handle untrusted data. Organizations using affected versions of ImageMagick should immediately implement security patches as the vulnerability can be exploited remotely through web applications that process user-uploaded images, making it a critical priority for security teams to address.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2026-30929 should prioritize the immediate upgrade to patched versions 7.1.2-16 or 6.9.13-41, which contain the necessary buffer size adjustments and bounds checking mechanisms. System administrators should also implement additional security controls such as input validation for image uploads, sandboxed processing environments, and network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls and content security policies to prevent malicious image uploads from reaching systems that process images with ImageMagick. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of regular security updates and the need for comprehensive vulnerability management programs that can quickly identify and remediate similar issues across the software supply chain. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual image processing activities and potential exploitation attempts through automated scanning tools that can identify vulnerable software versions in the organization's infrastructure. Additionally, developers should adopt secure coding practices such as using safe string handling functions and implementing proper memory management techniques to prevent similar buffer overflow vulnerabilities in their own codebases.