CVE-2026-21493 is a vulnerability identified in the iccDEV library, a set of tools and libraries for handling ICC color management profiles widely used in color-critical applications. The flaw resides in the CIccSingleSampledeCurveXml class, specifically during the XML curve serialization process. This vulnerability is classified as a type confusion issue, where the program incorrectly interprets the type of data in memory, leading to potential memory corruption. The underlying weakness is related to CWE-188 (Reliance on Data/Memory Layout), CWE-703 (Improper Check or Handling of Exceptional Conditions), and CWE-843 (Access of Resource Using Incompatible Type). The vulnerability affects versions of iccDEV up to 2.3.1.1 and was fixed in version 2.3.1.2. According to the CVSS v3.1 score of 6.6, the attack vector is local (AV:L), with low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), but requires user interaction (UI:R). The scope is unchanged (S:U), and the impact affects confidentiality and integrity to a low degree but has a high impact on availability, indicating potential for denial of service or application crashes. No known exploits have been reported in the wild, but the vulnerability could be leveraged by attackers with local access to cause application instability or potentially escalate attacks through memory corruption. The issue is particularly relevant for software that processes ICC profiles, such as professional imaging, printing, and publishing applications, which rely on iccDEV for accurate color management.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2026-21493 can be significant in sectors relying heavily on color management, such as printing, publishing, photography, and graphic design. Exploitation could lead to denial of service conditions, causing application crashes or data corruption, which in turn may disrupt production workflows and delay critical deliverables. Confidentiality and integrity impacts are rated low but should not be disregarded, as memory corruption vulnerabilities sometimes serve as a foothold for further exploitation. Given the local attack vector and requirement for user interaction, the threat is more relevant in environments where users handle untrusted or malformed ICC profiles, such as shared design files or external media. The vulnerability could also affect embedded systems or devices that incorporate iccDEV for color profile processing, potentially impacting availability of those devices. Disruptions in these industries could have economic repercussions, especially in countries with large media and printing sectors. Additionally, organizations subject to strict data integrity and availability regulations under GDPR and other European frameworks must consider the risk of operational interruptions and potential data loss.

The primary mitigation is to upgrade iccDEV to version 2.3.1.2 or later, where the vulnerability is fixed. Organizations should audit all software and systems that incorporate iccDEV to ensure they are not using vulnerable versions. For software vendors, integrating the patched library and releasing updates promptly is critical. Implement strict input validation and sanitization for ICC profiles, especially those originating from untrusted sources, to reduce the risk of malformed data triggering the vulnerability. Employ sandboxing or process isolation techniques for applications that handle ICC profiles to contain potential crashes and prevent escalation. Monitoring and logging of application crashes related to color profile processing can help detect exploitation attempts. Educate users about the risks of opening untrusted or unsolicited ICC profiles and encourage cautious handling of external media. Finally, consider deploying endpoint protection solutions capable of detecting anomalous behavior related to memory corruption or application instability.