CVE-2026-21487 identifies a vulnerability in the InternationalColorConsortium's iccDEV library, specifically in versions up to 2.3.1.1. The issue arises from improper input validation in the CIccProfile::LoadTag function, which processes ICC color management profiles. This improper validation leads to out-of-bounds reads and use of out-of-range pointer offsets, categorized under CWE-20 (Improper Input Validation), CWE-125 (Out-of-bounds Read), and CWE-823 (Use of Out-of-range Pointer Offset). When malformed or malicious ICC profiles are loaded, the function may read memory beyond allocated buffers, potentially causing application instability or crashes. The vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 6.1, indicating medium severity, with an attack vector limited to local access (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), but requiring user interaction (UI:R). The scope remains unchanged (S:U), with limited confidentiality impact (C:L), no integrity impact (I:N), and high availability impact (A:H), primarily due to potential denial of service. There are no known exploits in the wild, and the issue was publicly disclosed in early 2026. The vulnerability is fixed in iccDEV version 2.3.1.2, which corrects the input validation logic to prevent out-of-bounds memory access. Given iccDEV’s role in handling ICC profiles, this vulnerability could affect applications involved in color profile management, such as image processing, printing software, or digital media workflows.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2026-21487 is the risk of denial of service in applications that utilize iccDEV for ICC profile handling. This could disrupt workflows in industries reliant on accurate color management, including digital media production, professional printing, photography, and graphic design. Service interruptions could lead to operational delays and potential financial losses, especially in sectors where color fidelity is critical. Since exploitation requires local access and user interaction, remote compromise is unlikely, limiting the threat to insider risks or compromised endpoints. Confidentiality and integrity impacts are minimal, but availability degradation could affect business continuity. Organizations with automated image processing pipelines or embedded systems using iccDEV may experience crashes or instability if exposed to crafted ICC profiles. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the need for remediation.

To mitigate CVE-2026-21487, European organizations should: 1) Immediately upgrade all instances of iccDEV to version 2.3.1.2 or later to apply the fix for improper input validation. 2) Conduct an inventory of software and internal tools that utilize iccDEV libraries to identify affected systems. 3) Implement strict controls on local user access to systems processing ICC profiles to reduce the risk of malicious input. 4) Enforce user training and awareness to prevent opening untrusted or suspicious ICC profiles, especially from external sources. 5) Integrate input validation and sanitization checks in custom workflows that handle ICC profiles to detect malformed data early. 6) Monitor application logs and system stability for signs of crashes or abnormal behavior related to ICC profile processing. 7) Consider sandboxing or isolating applications that process ICC profiles to contain potential denial of service impacts. 8) Collaborate with software vendors to ensure timely patch deployment and verify that third-party tools are updated accordingly.