CVE-2014-9495: libpng · Heap-based Buffer Overflow
Source CVE Database V5
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 8.8 High : upgrade to 1.6.16 or 1.5.21 soon.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 12:54 UTC
- EPSS
- 4.0% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 90% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 1.6.16, 1.5.21
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 10 Jan 2015
Detectable: no evidence on record.
No public nuclei template indexed
Weaponised: no evidence on record.
No public exploit code indexed in Metasploit or Exploit-DB
Exploited in the wildExploited: no evidence on record.
Not in CISA KEV and no source reports exploitation
Observed by OffSeq MirageSeen by Mirage: no evidence on record.
No attack traffic recorded by OffSeq Mirage sensors
A missing step is not evidence of safety. Sources: cve.org (opens in a new tab), the Metasploit, Exploit-DB and nuclei-templates index as of 26 Oct 2026.
What to do
Upgrade libpng/libpng to 1.6.16 or 1.5.21.
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
Libpnglibpng/libpngpkg:deb/libpng/libpngOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Check your own hosts for these packages with threat-finder (opens in a new tab), our free open-source scanner.
AI-suggested
- Immediate patching: Upgrade libpng to version 1.5.21, 1.6.16, or later where the vulnerability is fixed. If direct upgrading is not feasible, update all dependent software vendors' products that embed libpng to their latest secure versions.
- Input validation and filtering: Implement strict validation and filtering of PNG images, especially those received from untrusted sources, to detect and block malformed or unusually wide interlaced PNG files.
- Application sandboxing: Run applications that process PNG images in sandboxed or isolated environments to limit the impact of potential exploitation.
- User awareness and training: Educate users about the risks of opening images from untrusted sources and encourage caution with email attachments and web downloads.
- Network controls: Employ network security measures such as web content filtering and email scanning to detect and block malicious image files.
- Monitoring and detection: Deploy endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of identifying anomalous behavior indicative of exploitation attempts related to image processing.
- Incident response preparedness: Develop and test incident response plans that include scenarios involving exploitation of image processing vulnerabilities to ensure rapid containment and remediation.
Description
Heap-based buffer overflow in the png_combine_row function in libpng before 1.5.21 and 1.6.x before 1.6.16, when running on 64-bit systems, might allow context-dependent attackers to execute arbitrary code via a "very wide interlaced" PNG image.
References
- openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2015/01/04/3 (opens in a new tab)
- securityfocus.com/bid/71820 (opens in a new tab)
- lists.apple.com/archives/security-announce/2016/Mar/msg00004.html (opens in a new tab)
- support.apple.com/HT206167 (opens in a new tab)
- sourceforge.net/p/png-mng/mailman/message/33173461/ (opens in a new tab)
- openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2015/01/10/1 (opens in a new tab)
- oracle.com/technetwork/topics/security/bulletinjul2015-2511963.html (opens in a new tab)
- openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2015/01/10/3 (opens in a new tab)
- sourceforge.net/p/png-mng/mailman/message/33172831/ (opens in a new tab)
- securitytracker.com/id/1031444 (opens in a new tab)
- secunia.com/advisories/62725 (opens in a new tab)