OpenCV Vulnerability CVE-2025-53644: Uninitialized Pointer Leading to Arbitrary Heap Buffer Write
Summary
CVE-2025-53644: OpenCV is an Open Source Computer Vision Library. Affects opencv across 3 version ranges.
< 3.2.0+dfsg-1
< 49486f61fb25722cbcf586b7f4320921d46fb38e
< a39db41390de546d18962ee1278bd6dbb715f466
Fixed in 3.2.0+dfsg-1. How to fix ↓
Check if this vulnerability affects your application
Upload a manifest or SBOM and we'll show whether you're affected, plus every other risky package in the same scan.
No signup required · Results in about 60 seconds
Background
OpenCV is an Open Source Computer Vision Library widely used for image processing and computer vision tasks. It provides a comprehensive set of tools for real-time image processing, machine learning, and computer vision applications. The library is known for its efficiency and versatility, making it a popular choice among developers. However, versions prior to 4.12.0 are susceptible to a critical vulnerability that can lead to severe security issues when handling crafted JPEG images.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-53644 arises from an uninitialized pointer variable on the stack within OpenCV. This flaw can be exploited when the library processes specially crafted JPEG images, potentially allowing an attacker to perform arbitrary heap buffer writes. Such exploitation can lead to various malicious outcomes, including data corruption, application crashes, or even arbitrary code execution, posing a significant risk to systems utilizing affected versions of OpenCV.
How To Fix
Minimum fixed version
3.2.0+dfsg-1
This is the first release that contains the fix.
sudo apt-get install --only-upgrade opencvTip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Workaround
As a temporary measure, users can avoid processing untrusted or crafted JPEG images until the library is updated. Additionally, implementing input validation to check image integrity before processing may help mitigate potential risks.
Conclusion
CVE-2025-53644 represents a serious vulnerability in OpenCV that can lead to arbitrary heap buffer writes when processing crafted JPEG images. Users are strongly advised to update to version 4.12.0 or later to mitigate this risk. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help monitor and alert for such vulnerabilities in real-time.
See every vulnerability recorded for opencv →
FAQ
CVE-2025-53644 is a vulnerability in OpenCV that involves an uninitialized pointer leading to arbitrary heap buffer writes when processing crafted JPEG images.
Versions of OpenCV prior to 4.12.0 are affected by this vulnerability.
You can use Vulert's playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without requiring any signup.
Exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to data corruption, application crashes, or arbitrary code execution, posing significant security risks.
You can update OpenCV to the patched version by running 'sudo apt-get install opencv=4.12.0' in your terminal for Debian-based systems.
Related vulnerabilities
Recent vulnerabilities recorded for opencv.
