Description
Buffer underflow in the LZWDecodeCompat function in libtiff 3.8.2 allows context-dependent attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) via a crafted TIFF image, a different vulnerability than CVE-2008-2327.
Fixed in Linux distributions
Distributions backport fixes, so the version that fixes this vulnerability differs per release — upgrade to at least the version shown. From the distributions' security trackers and advisories.
Debian
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian 14 | tiff | 3.8.2-12 | — |
| Debian 13 | tiff | 3.8.2-12 | — |
| Debian 12 | tiff | 3.8.2-12 | — |
| Debian 5.0 | tiff | 3.8.2-11.2 | DSA-1835-1 |
| Debian 4.0 | tiff | 3.8.2-7+etch3 | DSA-1835-1 |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 5 | libtiff +1 | 3.8.2-7.el5_3.4 | RHSA-2009:1159 |
| RHEL 4 | libtiff +1 | 3.6.1-12.el4_8.4 | RHSA-2009:1159 |
| RHEL 3 | libtiff +1 | 3.5.7-33.el3 | RHSA-2009:1159 |
openSUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| openSUSE Tumbleweed | tiff | 4.0.7-1.1 | openSUSE-SU-2024:10554-1 |
Public exploits
Exploit or proof-of-concept code for this vulnerability is publicly available, which lowers the bar for attackers. Treat it as a reason to patch sooner.
Third-party code, not reviewed by us. Public PoCs are sometimes fake or contain malware. Read the code first and run it only in an isolated lab, against systems you are authorised to test.
Exploit-DB 2
- LibTIFF - 'LZWDecodeCompat()' Remote Buffer Underflow EDB-10205 · dos · Nov 12, 2009 · verified
- LibTIFF 3.8.2 - 'LZWDecodeCompat()' Remote Buffer Underflow EDB-33049 · dos · May 21, 2009 · verified
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 3
- RHSA-2009:1159 Red Hat Security Advisory: libtiff security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
- DSA-1835-1 tiff - several vulnerabilities Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2024:10554-1 libtiff-devel-32bit-4.0.7-1.1 on GA media SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
References
- APPLE-SA-2010-03-11-1 vendor-advisory
- FEDORA-2009-7358 vendor-advisory
- 35866 third-party-advisory
- FEDORA-2009-7717 vendor-advisory
- ADV-2009-1637 vdb-entry
- [oss-security] 20090623 Re: libtiff buffer underflow in LZWDecodeCompat mailing-list
- http://bugzilla.maptools.org/show_bug.cgi?id=2065
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:7049 vdb-entry signature
- 39135 third-party-advisory
- http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4004
- APPLE-SA-2010-01-19-1 vendor-advisory
- USN-797-1 vendor-advisory
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:10145 vdb-entry signature
- http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4105
- 35716 third-party-advisory
- FEDORA-2009-7763 vendor-advisory
- [oss-security] 20090621 libtiff buffer underflow in LZWDecodeCompat mailing-list
- 35912 third-party-advisory
- http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4070
- APPLE-SA-2010-02-02-1 vendor-advisory
- 35883 third-party-advisory
- ADV-2009-2727 vdb-entry
- 35695 third-party-advisory
- http://www.lan.st/showthread.php?t=1856&page=3
- 36194 third-party-advisory
- 36831 third-party-advisory
- GLSA-200908-03 vendor-advisory
- ADV-2009-3184 vdb-entry
- http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4013
- FEDORA-2009-7335 vendor-advisory
- APPLE-SA-2010-03-30-2 vendor-advisory
- 267808 vendor-advisory
- RHSA-2009:1159 vendor-advisory
- 38241 third-party-advisory
- https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/tiff/+bug/380149
- APPLE-SA-2009-11-09-1 vendor-advisory
- FEDORA-2009-7417 vendor-advisory
- DSA-1835 vendor-advisory
- [oss-security] 20090629 CVE Request -- libtiff [was: Re: libtiff buffer underflow in LZWDecodeCompat] mailing-list
- ADV-2010-0173 vdb-entry
- http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3937