libpng 1.6.43/1.6.44/1.6.45/1.6.46 png_create_read_struct buffer overflow

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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Current Exploit Price (≈)
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CTI Interest Score
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5.8$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in libpng 1.6.43/1.6.44/1.6.45/1.6.46. It has been classified as critical. Affected by this issue is the function png_create_read_struct. Performing a manipulation results in buffer overflow. This vulnerability is reported as CVE-2025-28164. The attack is possible to be carried out remotely. No exploit exists.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, was found in libpng 1.6.43/1.6.44/1.6.45/1.6.46. This affects the function png_create_read_struct. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a buffer overflow vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-120. The product copies an input buffer to an output buffer without verifying that the size of the input buffer is less than the size of the output buffer, leading to a buffer overflow. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

Buffer Overflow vulnerability in libpng 1.6.43-1.6.46 allows a local attacker to cause a denial of service via png_create_read_struct() function.

It is possible to read the advisory at github.com. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2025-28164 since 03/11/2025. The exploitability is told to be easy. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. No form of authentication is needed for exploitation. It demands that the victim is doing some kind of user interaction. Technical details of the vulnerability are known, but there is no available exploit. The pricing for an exploit might be around USD $0-$5k at the moment (estimation calculated on 03/06/2026).

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 296928 (Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2025-28164), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

There is no information about possible countermeasures known. It may be suggested to replace the affected object with an alternative product.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at Tenable (296928) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2026-0237). Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.

Affected

  • Ubuntu Linux
  • Open Source libpng

Productinfo

Type

Name

Version

License

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 5.9
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 5.8

VulDB Base Score: 6.3
VulDB Temp Score: 6.1
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

ADP CISA Base Score: 5.5
ADP CISA Vector: 🔒

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
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VulDB Base Score: 🔒
VulDB Temp Score: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Buffer overflow
CWE: CWE-120 / CWE-119
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: 296928
Nessus Name: Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2025-28164

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: no mitigation known
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Timelineinfo

03/11/2025 CVE reserved
01/27/2026 +322 days Advisory disclosed
01/27/2026 +0 days VulDB entry created
03/06/2026 +38 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Advisory: 655
Status: Not defined

CVE: CVE-2025-28164 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2025-28164
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-343047
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2026-0237 - libpng: Mehrere Schwachstellen ermöglichen Denial of Service

Entryinfo

Created: 01/27/2026 17:27
Updated: 03/06/2026 14:25
Changes: 01/27/2026 17:27 (54), 01/28/2026 15:16 (2), 01/28/2026 20:02 (7), 02/03/2026 10:36 (1), 03/04/2026 21:26 (11), 03/06/2026 14:25 (1)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.

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