Infinite Loop Vulnerability in Cairo Package: CVE-2019-6462

cairo Updated 02 Oct 2025

Summary

16/01/2019
N/A
Yes i
Medium
6.5

ALPINE-CVE-2019-6462: An issue was discovered in cairo 1.16.0. Affects cairo versions < 1.16.0-r5. Fixed in 1.16.0-r5. How to fix ↓

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Background

Cairo is a 2D graphics library that supports multiple output devices. It is widely used for rendering vector graphics and provides a powerful API for developers to create high-quality graphics. The library is known for its performance and flexibility, making it a popular choice in various applications. However, it is susceptible to certain vulnerabilities, including CVE-2019-6462, which can lead to significant performance issues.

Vulnerability Detail

An issue was discovered in cairo 1.16.0, where an infinite loop occurs in the function _arc_error_normalized located in cairo-arc.c. This vulnerability can cause applications using the Cairo library to hang indefinitely, leading to denial of service. The root cause is related to the handling of arc calculations, which can be exploited if specific parameters are provided. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of the Cairo package across various Alpine Linux distributions.

How To Fix

Minimum fixed version

1.16.0-r5

This is the first release that contains the fix.

sudo apk add --upgrade cairo

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Workaround

If immediate patching is not feasible, consider avoiding the use of the affected functions in the Cairo library until the package can be updated. Monitor your application for any unusual behavior that may indicate exploitation of this vulnerability.

Conclusion

CVE-2019-6462 is a significant vulnerability in the Cairo graphics library that can lead to application hangs and denial of service. It is crucial to update to the patched versions of the package to mitigate this risk. Regular monitoring and vulnerability management practices, such as using tools like Vulert, can help maintain application security.

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FAQ

CVE-2019-6462 is a vulnerability in the Cairo graphics library that can cause an infinite loop, leading to denial of service.

Versions of Cairo prior to 1.16.0-r5 for Alpine v3.12 and 1.17.4-r1 for Alpine v3.17 and later are affected.

You can use Vulert to monitor and alert for open-source vulnerabilities. Visit Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected without needing to sign up.

The vulnerability can lead to applications hanging indefinitely, resulting in denial of service and affecting user experience.

Yes, the CVSS score for CVE-2019-6462 is 6.5, indicating a moderate severity level.

Related vulnerabilities

Recent vulnerabilities recorded for cairo.

How To Fix

Minimum fixed version

1.16.0-r5

This is the first release that contains the fix.

sudo apk add --upgrade cairo

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

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