Moderate Vulnerability in libpng: Information Disclosure and Denial of Service
Summary
ALSA-2026:14790: Moderate: libpng security update. Affects libpng versions < 2:1.6.40-8.el10_1.3. Fixed in 2:1.6.40-8.el10_1.3. How to fix ↓
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Background
libpng is a widely used library for creating and manipulating Portable Network Graphics (PNG) image files. It provides essential functions for image processing, making it a critical component in various applications that handle PNG files. The library is known for its efficiency and flexibility, but like any software, it can be susceptible to vulnerabilities that may compromise its functionality and security.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2026-33636 involves an out-of-bounds read/write issue in the Neon palette expansion feature of libpng. This flaw can lead to information disclosure and denial of service, potentially allowing attackers to exploit the library in applications that utilize it. The ramifications of this vulnerability can include unauthorized access to sensitive data and application crashes, which can disrupt services relying on libpng for image processing.
How To Fix
Minimum fixed version
2:1.6.40-8.el10_1.3
This is the first release that contains the fix.
sudo dnf update libpngTip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Workaround
As a temporary workaround, you may consider disabling the specific features that utilize the Neon palette expansion in your application until the update can be applied. However, this may limit some functionalities related to PNG image processing.
Conclusion
The libpng library has a moderate vulnerability (CVE-2026-33636) that can lead to serious security issues such as information disclosure and denial of service. It is crucial to update to the patched version to mitigate these risks. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help monitor for such vulnerabilities effectively.
See every vulnerability recorded for libpng →
FAQ
CVE-2026-33636 is a vulnerability in the libpng library that can lead to information disclosure and denial of service due to an out-of-bounds read/write issue.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without needing to sign up.
Failing to address this vulnerability can result in unauthorized access to sensitive data and application crashes, impacting the reliability of services that depend on libpng.
Yes, you should update to version 2:1.6.40-8.el10_1.3 or later to ensure that the vulnerability is patched.
Vulert is a tool that monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in software using just a manifest file like package-lock.json, providing real-time insights without requiring code access.
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