CVE-2024-41438 identifies a heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability in the cp_stored() function within the cute_png.h component of the hicolor library version 0.5.0. This vulnerability arises from improper bounds checking when processing PNG image data, allowing a crafted PNG file to overflow a heap buffer. The overflow leads to memory corruption that causes the affected application to crash, resulting in a denial of service (DoS) condition. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-122 (Heap-based Buffer Overflow). According to the CVSS v3.1 scoring, it has a score of 6.2 (medium severity), with an attack vector of local (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), no user interaction (UI:N), unchanged scope (S:U), and impacts only availability (A:H) with no confidentiality or integrity impact. No patches or fixes have been published at the time of disclosure, and no known exploits have been reported in the wild. The vulnerability primarily affects applications or systems that utilize the hicolor v0.5.0 library to parse PNG files, especially where untrusted or user-supplied images are processed. Exploitation requires the attacker to supply a malicious PNG file to the vulnerable application, which then triggers the heap overflow during image parsing. This can cause the application to crash, denying service to legitimate users. While this vulnerability does not allow code execution or data theft, the resulting denial of service can disrupt operations in environments relying on the affected library for image processing.

The primary impact of CVE-2024-41438 is denial of service, which can disrupt availability of applications or services that rely on the hicolor v0.5.0 library for PNG image processing. Organizations that process untrusted PNG files—such as web services, image processing tools, or embedded systems using this library—may experience application crashes leading to service interruptions. Although the vulnerability does not compromise confidentiality or integrity, repeated exploitation could degrade user trust and operational stability. In environments where high availability is critical, such as media platforms, content delivery networks, or embedded devices in industrial or consumer electronics, this vulnerability could cause significant operational disruptions. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk, but the lack of patches means the vulnerability remains open to future exploitation. Organizations worldwide that incorporate hicolor v0.5.0 in their software stacks or devices are potentially affected, especially those that handle external PNG content without strict validation or sandboxing.

To mitigate CVE-2024-41438, organizations should first identify all instances of hicolor v0.5.0 usage within their software and systems. Until an official patch is released, restrict or block processing of untrusted PNG files by the vulnerable library. Implement input validation and sanitization to detect and reject malformed or suspicious PNG files before they reach the vulnerable code path. Employ application-level sandboxing or containerization to isolate the image processing components, limiting the impact of potential crashes. Monitor application logs and system behavior for signs of abnormal termination or crashes related to PNG processing. Consider using alternative, actively maintained image processing libraries with robust security track records. Engage with the hicolor library maintainers or community to track patch releases and apply updates promptly once available. For embedded systems, coordinate firmware updates that replace or patch the vulnerable component. Finally, incorporate this vulnerability into incident response and vulnerability management workflows to ensure timely detection and remediation.