Buffer Overflow Vulnerability in SDL2_image Package

sdl2_image Updated 02 Oct 2025

Summary

24/04/2018
N/A
Yes i
High
7.1

ALPINE-CVE-2017-14450: A buffer overflow vulnerability exists in the GIF image parsing functionality of SDL2_image-2.0.2. Affects sdl2_image versions < 2.0.3-r0. Fixed in 2.0.3-r0. How to fix ↓

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Background

SDL2_image is an image loading library that extends the capabilities of the Simple DirectMedia Layer (SDL) by providing support for various image formats. It is widely used in multimedia applications to load and manipulate images. However, a critical vulnerability has been identified in the GIF image parsing functionality of SDL2_image, which can lead to severe security risks if exploited.

Vulnerability Detail

A buffer overflow vulnerability exists in the GIF image parsing functionality of SDL2_image version 2.0.2. This vulnerability arises when a specially crafted GIF image is processed, potentially leading to a buffer overflow on a global section. An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by displaying a malicious image, which may result in arbitrary code execution or application crashes. The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 7.1, indicating a high severity level.

How To Fix

Minimum fixed version

2.0.3-r0

This is the first release that contains the fix.

sudo apk add --upgrade sdl2_image

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Workaround

If immediate updating is not feasible, consider implementing input validation to restrict the types of images that can be processed by your application. This may involve checking the file format and size before loading images.

Conclusion

The buffer overflow vulnerability in the SDL2_image package poses significant risks to applications that utilize this library for image processing. It is crucial to update to the patched version to mitigate these risks and ensure the security of your application.

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FAQ

A buffer overflow vulnerability occurs when a program writes more data to a buffer than it can hold, potentially overwriting adjacent memory and leading to unpredictable behavior or security breaches.

Exploiting this vulnerability can allow attackers to execute arbitrary code, crash the application, or gain unauthorized access to system resources.

You can check if your application is affected by using the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner, which analyzes your manifest file for vulnerabilities without requiring any installation.

Implement input validation to restrict the types of images processed by your application as a temporary measure until you can apply the patch.

You can find more information about SDL2_image and its functionalities on the official SDL website or its GitHub repository.

Related vulnerabilities

Recent vulnerabilities recorded for sdl2_image.

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How To Fix

Minimum fixed version

2.0.3-r0

This is the first release that contains the fix.

sudo apk add --upgrade sdl2_image

Tip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →

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