CVE-2026-73639

CRITICALCVSS 9.1/10EPSS 0.18%

Last modified

CVE-2026-73639 is a critical-severity vulnerability rated 9.1/10 on the CVSS scale. 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. EPSS estimates a 0.18% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

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.

Metrics

EPSS Probability
0.18%

7.4th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

Affected Software

Source: CNA advisory (CVE.org). NVD analysis pending.

VendorProductVersions
——>= 1.003, < 1.004
——>= 1.034, < 1.035

References

Timeline

Published
Last Modified
Status
Deferred

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.
How severe is CVE-2026-73639?
CVE-2026-73639 has a CVSS score of 9.1/10 (CRITICAL severity). The EPSS model estimates a 0.18% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
How do I fix CVE-2026-73639?
Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

How Strix Helps

Related CVEs from 2026

Are you affected by CVE-2026-73639?

Run a free Strix scan to check your systems for this vulnerability.

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST