CVE-2026-38076 in Artifex
Summary
by MITRE • 07/10/2026
An integer overflow in the jbig2_arith_iaid_ctx_new() function of Artifex commit cc37d0 allows attackers to cause a Denial of Service (DoS) via a crafted input.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/10/2026
The vulnerability described represents a critical integer overflow condition within the jbig2_arith_iaid_ctx_new() function of the Artifex library, specifically in commit cc37d0. This flaw exists within the handling of arithmetic operations during the initialization of context structures for jbig2 decoding processes. The integer overflow occurs when processing crafted input data that manipulates the size parameters used in memory allocation calculations. When the arithmetic operation exceeds the maximum representable value for the integer type, it wraps around to a small positive value or zero, leading to insufficient memory allocation for the intended data structure. This vulnerability specifically targets the jbig2 arithmetic decoding component which is commonly used in document processing applications and image rendering systems.
The technical implementation of this flaw demonstrates how improper input validation can lead to memory management issues within cryptographic and decompression routines. The function processes input parameters that define context sizes for arithmetic coding operations, where integer overflow conditions occur when calculating array dimensions or buffer allocations. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-190 category of Integer Overflow or Wraparound, which is classified as a common weakness in software security practices. The flaw allows attackers to craft malicious jbig2 formatted files that trigger the overflow condition during parsing, causing the application to allocate insufficient memory for context structures and subsequently fail during subsequent operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability manifests as a reliable Denial of Service condition that can be exploited by any attacker who can submit crafted jbig2 input to a vulnerable system. When exploited, the integer overflow causes the application to either crash with a segmentation fault or enter an inconsistent state where further processing becomes impossible. This affects systems that process jbig2 encoded documents such as pdf viewers, image processing applications, and document management systems. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be triggered through normal file processing workflows without requiring special privileges or complex exploitation techniques. Attackers can simply prepare a malicious jbig2 file and submit it to any application that uses the affected Artifex library, making this vector highly accessible for DoS attacks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on input validation and boundary checking within the affected function. The most effective approach involves implementing proper integer overflow detection before memory allocation operations, ensuring that calculated values remain within reasonable bounds before proceeding with context initialization. Additionally, upgrading to patched versions of the Artifex library that contain fixed implementations of jbig2_arith_iaid_ctx_new() is essential for complete remediation. Organizations should also implement input sanitization measures that validate jbig2 file structures and reject malformed inputs before processing. From an operational security perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 which covers network denial of service attacks through resource exhaustion or application crashes. The mitigation approach should include monitoring for unusual memory allocation patterns and implementing proper error handling that prevents crash conditions from occurring in production environments.