VTK 9.6 PNGReader vtkPNGReaderUpdate2 null pointer dereference

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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Current Exploit Price (≈)
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CTI Interest Score
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6.4$0-$5k2.69+

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as problematic, has been found in VTK 9.6. This impacts the function vtkPNGReader::vtkPNGReaderUpdate2 of the component PNGReader. The manipulation leads to null pointer dereference. This vulnerability is listed as CVE-2026-42057. The attack may be initiated remotely. There is no available exploit.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in VTK 9.6. It has been rated as problematic. This issue affects the function vtkPNGReader::vtkPNGReaderUpdate2 of the component PNGReader. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a null pointer dereference vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to 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. Impacted is availability. The summary by CVE is:

An invalid pointer dereference vulnerability exists in the vtkPNGReader::vtkPNGReaderUpdate2 functionality of vtk 9.6. A specially crafted .png file can lead to a denial of service. An attacker can provide a malicious file to trigger this vulnerability.

It is possible to read the advisory at talosintelligence.com. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2026-42057 since 04/28/2026. The exploitation is known to be easy. The attack may be initiated remotely. No form of authentication is needed for a successful exploitation. Technical details of the vulnerability are known, but there is no available exploit.

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

Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

Name

Version

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 6.4
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 6.4

VulDB Base Score: 5.3
VulDB Temp Score: 5.3
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CNA Base Score: 7.5
CNA Vector (talos): 🔒

CVSSv2info

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

Exploitinginfo

Class: Null pointer dereference
CWE: CWE-476 / CWE-404
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔒
Status: Not defined
Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔒

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Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: no mitigation known
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Timelineinfo

04/28/2026 CVE reserved
10/29/2026 +184 days Advisory disclosed
10/29/2026 +0 days VulDB entry created
10/29/2026 +0 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Advisory: talosintelligence.com
Status: Not defined

CNA: talos
CVE: CVE-2026-42057 (🔒)

GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-42057
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-428723

Entryinfo

Created: 10/29/2026 19:43
Changes: 10/29/2026 19:43 (61)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.

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