CVE-2026-3281: libvips · Heap-based Buffer Overflow
Affects libvipsSource CVE Database V5
Public exploit available · CVSS 4.8 Medium.
Data as of 30 Oct 2026, 11:52 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.2% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 19% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:L/VI:L/VA:L/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:PExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 27 Feb 2026
Detectable: no evidence on record.
No public nuclei template indexed
Weaponized: evidence found.
CVSS exploit maturity: proof of concept public
Exploited in the wildExploited: no evidence on record.
Not in CISA KEV and no source reports exploitation
Observed by OffSeq MirageSeen by Mirage: no evidence on record.
No attack traffic recorded by OffSeq Mirage sensors
A missing step is not evidence of safety. Sources: cve.org (opens in a new tab), CVSS vector, the Metasploit, Exploit-DB and nuclei-templates index as of 30 Oct 2026.
What to do
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| libvips | Affected
| Fixed in– |
GitHublibvips/libvipspkg:github/libvips/libvipsOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
CPE configurations (1)
cpe:2.3:a:libvips:libvips:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Check your own hosts for these packages with threat-finder (opens in a new tab), our free open-source scanner.
AI-suggested
To mitigate CVE-2026-3281, organizations should immediately upgrade libvips from version 8.19.0 to a patched version that includes the fix identified by commit fd28c5463697712cb0ab116a2c55e4f4d92c4088. If upgrading is not immediately possible, applying any available backported patches or workarounds that sanitize or validate the 'index' argument in vips_bandrank_build is recommended. Restrict local access to systems running vulnerable libvips versions by enforcing strict access controls, limiting user privileges, and isolating critical services. Employ runtime protections such as heap memory integrity checks, address space layout randomization (ASLR), and stack canaries to reduce exploitation success. Monitor system logs and application behavior for signs of crashes or anomalous activity related to image processing functions. Additionally, conduct code audits and fuzz testing on image processing inputs to detect similar vulnerabilities proactively. Finally, maintain an up-to-date inventory of software dependencies to quickly identify and remediate vulnerable components.
Description
A vulnerability was detected in libvips 8.19.0. This affects the function vips_bandrank_build of the file libvips/conversion/bandrank.c. Performing a manipulation of the argument index results in heap-based buffer overflow. The attack must be initiated from a local position. The exploit is now public and may be used. The patch is named fd28c5463697712cb0ab116a2c55e4f4d92c4088. It is suggested to install a patch to address this issue.
References
- vuldb.com (opens in a new tab)
- vuldb.com (opens in a new tab)
- vuldb.com (opens in a new tab)
- github.com/libvips/libvips/issues/4878 (opens in a new tab)
- github.com/libvips/libvips/pull/4895 (opens in a new tab)
- github.com/libvips/libvips/issues/4878 (opens in a new tab)
- github.com/libvips/libvips/commit/fd28c5463697712cb0ab116a2c55e4f4d92c4088 (opens in a new tab)
- github.com/libvips/libvips/ (opens in a new tab)