CVE-2026-25502 is a stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability identified in the icFixXml() function of the iccDEV library, which is widely used to interact with and manipulate ICC color management profiles. The vulnerability arises when the function processes malformed ICC profiles containing specially crafted NamedColor2 tags, leading to a buffer overflow on the stack. This flaw allows an attacker to potentially execute arbitrary code within the context of the affected application. The vulnerability affects all versions of iccDEV prior to 2.3.1.2 and was publicly disclosed on February 3, 2026. The Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) v3.1 rates this vulnerability at 7.8 (high severity), with an attack vector classified as local (AV:L), requiring low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges (PR:N), but user interaction (UI:R). The scope is unchanged (S:U), and the impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is high (C:H/I:H/A:H). Although no exploits have been reported in the wild, the vulnerability poses a significant risk due to the possibility of arbitrary code execution. The patch was released in version 2.3.1.2 to address this issue. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-121 (Stack-based Buffer Overflow) and CWE-787 (Out-of-bounds Write).

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2026-25502 can be substantial, especially those involved in industries relying heavily on color management profiles such as printing, publishing, graphic design, photography, and digital media production. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code, potentially leading to full system compromise, data theft, or disruption of critical workflows. This could affect the confidentiality of sensitive design files, the integrity of color profiles and output, and the availability of production systems. Given that exploitation requires local access and user interaction, insider threats or social engineering attacks could be vectors. Additionally, compromised systems could be used as footholds for lateral movement within corporate networks, increasing the risk of broader organizational impact. The lack of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as attackers may develop exploits over time.

1. Upgrade all instances of iccDEV to version 2.3.1.2 or later immediately to apply the official patch addressing this vulnerability. 2. Implement strict validation and sanitization of ICC profiles before processing, rejecting malformed or suspicious profiles to prevent triggering the vulnerability. 3. Restrict access to ICC profile files, especially those originating from untrusted sources, by enforcing file permissions and network segmentation. 4. Educate users about the risks of opening or processing untrusted ICC profiles to reduce the likelihood of user interaction leading to exploitation. 5. Monitor systems that use iccDEV for unusual behavior or crashes that could indicate attempted exploitation. 6. Employ application whitelisting and endpoint protection solutions capable of detecting buffer overflow exploitation techniques. 7. For environments where upgrading is delayed, consider isolating or sandboxing applications that process ICC profiles to limit potential damage.