CVE-2026-30937 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 32-bit unsigned integer overflow in the XWD (X Windows) encoder can cause an undersized heap buffer allocation. When writing a extremely large image an out of bounds heap write can occur. 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 vulnerability identified as CVE-2026-30937 affects ImageMagick, a widely-used free and open-source software library for digital image editing and manipulation. This software serves as a foundational component in numerous applications, systems, and platforms that process image data, making its security implications particularly significant. The flaw exists within the XWD (X Windows) encoder functionality, which handles the encoding of images in the X Window System format. This encoder is commonly utilized in environments where graphical user interfaces interact with image processing pipelines, including desktop applications, web services, and server-side image manipulation systems.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability manifests as a 32-bit unsigned integer overflow within the XWD encoder implementation. This specific flaw occurs during the heap buffer allocation process when processing extremely large image files. The overflow condition results in an incorrect calculation of memory requirements, leading to the allocation of a heap buffer that is insufficient to accommodate the actual data being written. This fundamental miscalculation creates a scenario where subsequent memory operations can overwrite adjacent heap memory regions, constituting a classic out-of-bounds heap write vulnerability. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through the manipulation of image files, potentially allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause system instability.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption, as it represents a critical security weakness that could be exploited in various attack scenarios. An attacker who can influence the image processing pipeline could craft malicious XWD files designed to trigger the integer overflow during the encoding process. This could result in arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the ImageMagick processing application, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects both major versions of ImageMagick, indicating that it has been present for an extended period and could have been exploited in numerous environments where the software is deployed. The fix implemented in versions 7.1.2-16 and 6.9.13-41 addresses the integer overflow by implementing proper bounds checking and ensuring that heap allocations accurately reflect the required memory size. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow conditions, and could be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1203, representing exploitation of software vulnerabilities for privilege escalation or code execution.
The remediation strategy for this vulnerability requires immediate deployment of the patched versions of ImageMagick, specifically versions 7.1.2-16 and 6.9.13-41, across all systems that utilize the affected software. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all instances where ImageMagick is installed and actively used in image processing workflows. Security teams should also implement additional protective measures such as input validation for image files, sandboxed processing environments, and monitoring for anomalous behavior in image processing applications. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper integer handling in memory management and highlights the need for regular security updates in open-source software components that form integral parts of larger systems. Given the widespread adoption of ImageMagick in enterprise environments, the timely deployment of these patches represents a crucial step in maintaining overall system security posture and preventing potential exploitation by malicious actors who may be actively targeting this specific vulnerability.