CVE-2026-24799 identifies a buffer overflow vulnerability (CWE-787) in the davisking dlib library, specifically within the inflate.C source file of its external zlib module. The flaw arises from an out-of-bounds write caused by a buffer copy operation that does not properly check the size of the input data, leading to classic buffer overflow conditions. This vulnerability affects all dlib versions prior to v19.24.9. The vulnerability requires local access with low privileges and some user interaction, as indicated by the CVSS vector (AV:L/PR:L/UI:A). The impact includes potential memory corruption, which can be exploited to cause denial of service or possibly partial compromise of confidentiality and integrity, though no remote code execution is indicated. The CVSS 4.0 base score is 5.2, categorizing it as medium severity. No known exploits have been reported in the wild to date. The vulnerability is particularly relevant for applications embedding dlib for image processing, machine learning, or other computational tasks that utilize compressed data handling via zlib. Since dlib is a widely used C++ library in various software projects, the vulnerability could affect a broad range of applications if they use vulnerable versions. The absence of a patch link suggests that remediation involves upgrading to dlib v19.24.9 or later once available. The vulnerability’s exploitation requires user interaction and local privileges, limiting its remote attack surface but still posing risks in multi-user or shared environments.

For European organizations, the vulnerability poses a moderate risk primarily in environments where dlib is embedded in software that handles compressed data streams, such as image processing, machine learning, or scientific computing applications. Exploitation could lead to denial of service through application crashes or memory corruption, potentially disrupting critical services. Confidentiality and integrity impacts are limited but possible if an attacker leverages the overflow to manipulate application behavior or data. The requirement for local access and user interaction reduces the likelihood of widespread remote exploitation but does not eliminate insider threat or targeted attacks within organizations. Industries such as automotive, manufacturing, research institutions, and software development companies that rely on dlib for advanced computational tasks may face operational disruptions or data integrity issues. The lack of known exploits in the wild provides some respite, but organizations should proactively address the vulnerability to prevent future exploitation. Failure to patch could also expose organizations to compliance risks under European data protection regulations if the vulnerability leads to data breaches or service interruptions.

1. Upgrade dlib to version 19.24.9 or later as soon as the patch is officially released to ensure the vulnerability is addressed. 2. Conduct an inventory of all software and systems using dlib, especially those handling compressed data or image processing, to identify affected versions. 3. Implement strict access controls and monitoring on systems where dlib is used to limit local user privileges and detect suspicious activities. 4. Employ application whitelisting and sandboxing techniques to contain potential exploitation attempts. 5. Review and harden input validation and buffer handling in custom applications that integrate dlib to reduce the risk of buffer overflows. 6. Educate users about the risks of interacting with untrusted compressed data or files that could trigger the vulnerability. 7. Monitor vendor advisories and security bulletins for updates or exploit reports related to this CVE. 8. Consider deploying runtime protection tools that can detect and prevent memory corruption exploits. 9. In environments with high security requirements, perform penetration testing focused on buffer overflow vectors involving dlib components. 10. Maintain regular backups and incident response plans to quickly recover from potential denial of service or data integrity incidents.