CVE-2026-21489 is a vulnerability identified in the iccDEV library, which is widely used for handling ICC color management profiles in various imaging and color-critical applications. The flaw exists in versions 2.3.1.1 and earlier, specifically within the CIccCalculatorFunc::SequenceNeedTempReset function. It involves an out-of-bounds read (CWE-125) and an integer underflow (CWE-191), which can lead to improper memory access. These conditions arise when the function miscalculates buffer sizes or indices, causing it to read memory outside the intended bounds. The vulnerability requires local access (AV:L) and user interaction (UI:R) to be exploited, meaning an attacker must have some level of access to the system and trigger the vulnerable function, likely through crafted ICC profiles or related inputs. The impact primarily affects availability (A:H), as exploitation can cause application crashes or denial of service, while confidentiality impact is low (C:L) and integrity is not affected. The vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 6.1, reflecting medium severity. No public exploits are known at this time, but the flaw poses a risk to systems processing ICC profiles, especially in environments where iccDEV is integrated into workflows for color management in printing, publishing, or graphic design. The issue is resolved in version 2.3.1.2, which corrects the bounds checking and integer calculations to prevent out-of-bounds reads and underflows.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2026-21489 is the potential for denial of service in applications that utilize iccDEV for ICC profile processing. This can disrupt critical workflows in industries such as printing, publishing, graphic design, and digital imaging, where color accuracy and profile management are essential. Although the confidentiality impact is low, service interruptions could lead to operational delays and financial losses, particularly in time-sensitive production environments. Organizations relying on automated color management pipelines or embedded systems that process ICC profiles locally are at higher risk. Since exploitation requires local access and user interaction, the threat is more relevant to insider threats or scenarios where attackers have gained limited system access. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the need for proactive mitigation. Failure to address this vulnerability could expose organizations to stability issues and potential exploitation attempts as threat actors develop techniques to leverage the flaw.

1. Upgrade iccDEV to version 2.3.1.2 or later immediately to apply the official fix that addresses the out-of-bounds read and integer underflow issues. 2. Restrict local access to systems that process ICC profiles, limiting user permissions and enforcing strict access controls to reduce the risk of exploitation. 3. Implement application whitelisting and monitoring to detect unusual crashes or abnormal behavior in applications using iccDEV, enabling rapid incident response. 4. Conduct regular audits of software dependencies and ensure that all libraries handling untrusted input, such as ICC profiles, are up to date and securely configured. 5. Educate users about the risks of opening or processing untrusted ICC profiles, especially in environments where user interaction is required to trigger the vulnerability. 6. Employ sandboxing or containerization for applications that process ICC profiles to contain potential crashes and prevent system-wide impact. 7. Monitor vendor advisories and threat intelligence feeds for any emerging exploit attempts targeting this vulnerability.