CVE-2026-22047 is a heap-buffer-overflow vulnerability identified in the iccDEV library, a set of tools and libraries used for handling International Color Consortium (ICC) color profiles. The flaw exists in the SIccCalcOp::Describe() function located in the IccProfLib/IccMpeCalc.cpp source file. It stems from improper input validation (CWE-20) and buffer management issues (CWE-130), which allow an attacker to trigger a heap overflow by supplying specially crafted ICC profiles. This can lead to arbitrary code execution, data corruption, or application crashes, impacting confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The vulnerability affects all versions of iccDEV prior to 2.3.1.2, which contains the patch. The CVSS 3.1 score of 8.8 reflects a network attack vector with low complexity, no privileges required, but requiring user interaction, and resulting in high impact across all security properties. No known exploits have been reported in the wild, and no workarounds exist, making patching the sole effective mitigation. The vulnerability is particularly relevant for applications and systems that process ICC profiles, such as digital imaging software, printing workflows, and color management systems.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk especially to industries relying heavily on color management and digital imaging, including publishing houses, graphic design firms, printing companies, and manufacturing sectors that use color calibration. Exploitation could lead to remote code execution, allowing attackers to compromise systems, steal sensitive data, or disrupt operations through denial of service. Given the network attack vector and no privilege requirements, attackers could exploit this vulnerability by tricking users into opening malicious ICC profiles embedded in documents or images. This could affect endpoint security, server-side processing systems, and cloud services handling ICC profiles. The impact extends to intellectual property theft, operational downtime, and potential regulatory non-compliance under GDPR if personal or sensitive data is compromised. The lack of workarounds increases urgency for patch deployment to prevent exploitation.

The primary mitigation is to upgrade all affected iccDEV library instances to version 2.3.1.2 or later, which contains the official patch for this vulnerability. Organizations should audit all software and systems that utilize iccDEV for ICC profile processing to ensure they are updated. Additionally, implement strict input validation and filtering at the application layer to detect and block malformed or suspicious ICC profiles before processing. Employ endpoint protection solutions capable of detecting anomalous behavior related to heap overflows and monitor logs for crashes or unusual activity in applications handling ICC profiles. Educate users about the risks of opening untrusted image files or documents containing ICC profiles from unknown sources. For environments where immediate patching is not feasible, consider isolating or sandboxing applications that process ICC profiles to limit potential damage. Regularly review and update incident response plans to include scenarios involving exploitation of color profile vulnerabilities.