CVE-2026-24852 is a heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability identified in the iccDEV library, a set of tools and libraries used for handling ICC color management profiles. The vulnerability stems from the strlen() function being called on buffers that are not properly null-terminated, leading to a heap buffer over-read. This can cause the application to leak heap memory contents, potentially exposing sensitive data, and may result in application termination due to memory access violations. The issue affects all versions of iccDEV prior to 2.3.1.2, which includes the vulnerable code path. ICC profiles are widely used in color management workflows, and the vulnerability can be triggered when user-controllable input is incorporated unsafely into ICC profile data or other structured binary blobs. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-122 (Heap-based Buffer Overflow), CWE-125 (Out-of-bounds Read), and CWE-170 (Improper Null Termination). Exploitation requires local access and user interaction, as indicated by the CVSS vector (AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R), meaning an attacker must have the ability to run code or supply crafted ICC profiles to the victim application. The impact primarily affects confidentiality due to potential memory leakage and availability due to application crashes. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild. The vendor has released version 2.3.1.2 to address the issue, but no alternative mitigations or workarounds are documented. Organizations using iccDEV in their software stacks or workflows that process ICC profiles are at risk if they use vulnerable versions.

For European organizations, the vulnerability poses a risk primarily to confidentiality and availability. Leakage of heap memory contents could expose sensitive information processed or stored in memory during ICC profile handling. Application crashes caused by the buffer overflow could disrupt critical workflows, especially in industries relying heavily on color management such as printing, publishing, digital media production, and manufacturing. Given that ICC profiles are embedded in many imaging and graphics applications, exploitation could affect a broad range of software products. The requirement for local access and user interaction reduces the likelihood of remote exploitation but does not eliminate risk in environments where untrusted ICC profiles may be processed, such as shared workstations or collaborative environments. The absence of known exploits in the wild suggests limited immediate threat, but the medium severity rating and potential for data leakage and denial of service warrant prompt remediation. Failure to patch could lead to operational disruptions and data exposure, impacting compliance with European data protection regulations if sensitive information is leaked.

The primary mitigation is to upgrade all instances of the iccDEV library to version 2.3.1.2 or later, where the vulnerability is fixed. Organizations should conduct an inventory of software and systems that utilize iccDEV for ICC profile processing to ensure no vulnerable versions remain in use. Additionally, implement strict validation and sanitization of ICC profiles before processing, especially if profiles originate from untrusted or external sources, to prevent injection of malicious data. Employ application-level sandboxing or isolation techniques to limit the impact of potential crashes or memory leaks. Monitor application logs and system behavior for signs of abnormal termination or memory-related errors that could indicate exploitation attempts. Where possible, restrict user permissions to prevent unauthorized loading or processing of arbitrary ICC profiles. Finally, maintain an up-to-date patch management process and subscribe to vulnerability advisories related to color management libraries and associated software.