Freeimage up to 1.17.x PluginTIFF.cpp ReadPalette null pointer dereference
| CVSS Meta Temp Score | Current Exploit Price (≈) | CTI Interest Score |
|---|---|---|
| 4.9 | $0-$5k | 0.00 |
Summary
A vulnerability was found in Freeimage up to 1.17.x. It has been classified as problematic. The affected element is the function ReadPalette of the file PluginTIFF.cpp. Performing a manipulation results in null pointer dereference.
This vulnerability is reported as CVE-2021-40266. No exploit exists.
Upgrading the affected component is recommended.
Details
A vulnerability, which was classified as problematic, was found in Freeimage up to 1.17.x. This affects the function ReadPalette of the file PluginTIFF.cpp. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a null pointer dereference vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-476. A NULL pointer dereference occurs when the application dereferences a pointer that it expects to be valid, but is NULL, typically causing a crash or exit. This is going to have an impact on availability. The summary by CVE is:
FreeImage before 1.18.0, ReadPalette function in PluginTIFF.cpp is vulnerabile to null pointer dereference.
The weakness was disclosed 08/23/2023. The advisory is shared at sourceforge.net. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2021-40266 since 08/30/2021. Technical details are known, but no exploit is available.
The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 259374 (Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2021-40266), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.
Upgrading to version 1.18.0 eliminates this vulnerability.
The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at Tenable (259374). If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Product
Name
Version
CPE 2.3
CPE 2.2
CVSSv4
VulDB Vector: 🔍VulDB Reliability: 🔍
CVSSv3
VulDB Meta Base Score: 5.0VulDB Meta Temp Score: 4.9
VulDB Base Score: 3.5
VulDB Temp Score: 3.4
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍
NVD Base Score: 6.5
NVD Vector: 🔍
CVSSv2
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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
VulDB Temp Score: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍
Exploiting
Class: Null pointer dereferenceCWE: CWE-476 / CWE-404
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍
Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes
Availability: 🔍
Status: Not defined
EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍
Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍
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Nessus ID: 259374
Nessus Name: Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2021-40266
Threat Intelligence
Interest: 🔍Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍
Countermeasures
Recommended: UpgradeStatus: 🔍
0-Day Time: 🔍
Upgrade: Freeimage 1.18.0
Timeline
08/30/2021 🔍08/23/2023 🔍
08/23/2023 🔍
08/31/2025 🔍
Sources
Advisory: sourceforge.netStatus: Confirmed
CVE: CVE-2021-40266 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2021-40266
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-237837
Entry
Created: 08/23/2023 11:33Updated: 08/31/2025 11:30
Changes: 08/23/2023 11:33 (40), 09/16/2023 12:52 (11), 08/31/2025 11:30 (17)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
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