CVE-2026-56377 in ImageMagick
Summary
by MITRE • 07/01/2026
ImageMagick before 7.1.2-24 contains an incorrect policy check that allows attackers to create or truncate files disallowed by security policies. Remote attackers can bypass path policy restrictions in sandboxed conversion services to write arbitrary files outside intended boundaries.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/01/2026
ImageMagick versions prior to 7.1.2-24 contain a critical security flaw in their policy enforcement mechanism that enables unauthorized file system operations despite configured security restrictions. This vulnerability stems from an improper validation check within the software's access control implementation, specifically affecting the sandboxed conversion services designed to prevent arbitrary file system modifications. The flaw allows remote attackers to circumvent path policy restrictions that should normally prevent file creation or truncation operations outside designated directories, effectively breaking down the security boundaries intended to protect systems from malicious file manipulation.
The technical nature of this vulnerability lies in the incorrect policy evaluation logic that fails to properly validate file paths during image conversion operations. When ImageMagick processes image files through its sandboxed environment, the software should enforce strict path restrictions to prevent operations from writing files outside predetermined safe locations. However, the flawed implementation allows attackers to manipulate input parameters or exploit specific conversion workflows to bypass these protections entirely. This creates a scenario where malicious actors can specify arbitrary file paths during image processing operations, potentially leading to overwrite operations on critical system files or creation of unauthorized files in sensitive directories.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file system manipulation and represents a significant threat to system integrity and confidentiality. Attackers can leverage this flaw to write malicious payloads to system locations, potentially executing code through compromised services or creating backdoors for persistent access. The vulnerability affects remote attackers who need only interact with the vulnerable ImageMagick service to exploit the policy bypass, making it particularly dangerous in web applications or services that process user-uploaded images. Organizations running sandboxed image conversion services are especially at risk as this flaw undermines the fundamental security premise of such environments.
Security professionals should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to ImageMagick version 7.1.2-24 or later, which contains the patched policy enforcement logic. Additional protective measures include restricting file access permissions for ImageMagick processes, implementing network segmentation to limit exposure, and deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious file system activity. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 - Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal') and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 - Command and Scripting Interpreter: Python within the Execution phase. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict which image conversion services can be executed, along with comprehensive monitoring of file system modifications that could indicate exploitation attempts. The flaw demonstrates how seemingly minor policy enforcement errors can create significant security risks in sandboxed environments where access control is paramount for system protection.