CVE-2026-73639: Memory Corruption (CVSS 9.1)

Description

Imager::File::PNG versions from 1.003 before 1.004 for Perl write past the end of the row buffer reading a PNG with a tRNS transparency chunk in read_direct8. With a tRNS chunk, read_direct8() adds an alpha channel to the image it creates but still sizes the row buffer from the original channel count. libpng expands the transparency into that extra channel, so png_read_row() fills one channel more than the buffer holds, at one byte per sample, and writes width bytes past the end of the allocation. Palette images go to read_paletted() and 16-bit images to read_direct16(), which sizes its buffer from png_get_rowbytes() and allocates enough for the expanded row. The same reader ships bundled in the Imager distribution. Reading an attacker-supplied PNG through Imager->read() corrupts the heap, which can crash the process.

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CVSS v3.1 Score

9.1

CRITICAL

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:H

EPSS — Exploit Prediction

0.0070

Probability of exploitation

0.52%

Percentile rank

EPSS estimates the probability that this vulnerability will be exploited in the wild within the next 30 days. A higher score means more likely to be exploited.

Weakness Type (CWE)

CWE-787 Out-of-bounds Write

References

Other References

https://github.com/tonycoz/imager/commit/d973bd7e8843f084e8071caa24b89545c88b1e4b.patch https://github.com/tonycoz/imager/pull/567 https://github.com/tonycoz/imager/security/advisories/GHSA-jhx5-34j8-9g88 https://metacpan.org/release/TONYC/Imager-1.035/changes https://metacpan.org/release/TONYC/Imager-File-PNG-1.004/changes http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/09/17/6

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2026-73639? +

Imager::File::PNG versions from 1.003 before 1.004 for Perl write past the end of the row buffer reading a PNG with a tRNS transparency chunk in read_direct8. With a tRNS chunk, read_direct8() adds an alpha channel to the image it creates but still sizes the row buffer from the original channel count. libpng expands the transparency into that extra channel, so png_read_row() fills one channel more than the buffer holds, at one byte per sample, and writes width bytes past the end of the allocation. Palette images go to read_paletted() and 16-bit images to read_direct16(), which sizes its buffer from png_get_rowbytes() and allocates enough for the expanded row. The same reader ships bundled in the Imager distribution. Reading an attacker-supplied PNG through Imager->read() corrupts the heap, which can crash the process. It has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 9.1 (CRITICAL).

How severe is CVE-2026-73639? +

CVE-2026-73639 has a CVSS v3.1 score of 9.1 out of 10, rated CRITICAL. This is a critical vulnerability that should be patched immediately. The EPSS score is 0.0070, placing it in the 1th percentile for exploitation probability.

How do I check if I'm vulnerable to CVE-2026-73639? +

You can use Secably's free Website Scanner to check your website for known vulnerabilities. For infrastructure scanning, use the Port Scanner to identify exposed services that may be affected. Check the vendor advisories linked above for specific patch and version information.

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