CVE-2015-0973: libpng · Classic Buffer Overflow
Source CVE Database V5
Mentioned vulnerabilities
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 8.8 High · fixed in 1.6.16 : patch affected systems soon.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 13:47 UTC
- EPSS
- 4.1% 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 18 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
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| n/a n/a | Affected
| Fixed in
|
AI-suggested
European organizations should prioritize updating libpng to versions 1.5.21 or later, or 1.6.16 or later, where this vulnerability is patched. Since libpng is often embedded within other software, organizations must identify all applications and systems that include vulnerable libpng versions and apply vendor patches or updates accordingly. For software that cannot be immediately updated, implementing network-level protections such as blocking or scanning incoming PNG files for anomalies can reduce risk. Endpoint protection solutions with heuristic or behavior-based detection may help identify exploitation attempts. User awareness training should emphasize caution when opening image files from untrusted sources to mitigate the user interaction requirement. Additionally, organizations should employ application whitelisting and sandboxing techniques for applications processing external images to limit the impact of potential exploitation. Regular vulnerability scanning and asset inventory management will aid in identifying vulnerable systems. Finally, monitoring for unusual process behavior or network activity related to image processing applications can provide early detection of exploitation attempts.
Description
Buffer overflow in the png_read_IDAT_data function in pngrutil.c in libpng before 1.5.21 and 1.6.x before 1.6.16 allows context-dependent attackers to execute arbitrary code via IDAT data with a large width, a different vulnerability than CVE-2014-9495.
References
- 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)
- secunia.com/advisories/62725 (opens in a new tab)
- tfpwn.com/files/libpng_heap_overflow_1.6.15.txt (opens in a new tab)
- security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20240719-0005/ (opens in a new tab)