Description
The png_decompress_chunk function in pngrutil.c in libpng 1.0.x before 1.0.53, 1.2.x before 1.2.43, and 1.4.x before 1.4.1 does not properly handle compressed ancillary-chunk data that has a disproportionately large uncompressed representation, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (memory and CPU consumption, and application hang) via a crafted PNG file, as demonstrated by use of the deflate compression method on data composed of many occurrences of the same character, related to a "decompression bomb" attack.
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 5.0 | libpng | 1.2.27-2+lenny3 | DSA-2032-1 |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 5 | libpng +1 | 2:1.2.10-7.1.el5_5.3 | RHSA-2010:0534 |
| RHEL 4 | libpng +1 | 2:1.2.7-3.el4_8.3 | RHSA-2010:0534 |
| RHEL 4 | libpng10 +1 | 1.0.16-3.el4_8.4 | RHSA-2010:0534 |
| RHEL 3 | libpng +1 | 2:1.2.2-30 | RHSA-2010:0534 |
| RHEL 3 | libpng10 +1 | 1.0.13-21 | RHSA-2010:0534 |
Advisories 2
- RHSA-2010:0534 Red Hat Security Advisory: libpng security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
- DSA-2032-1 libpng - several vulnerabilities Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- http://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2010-0014.html
- ADV-2010-0517 vdb-entry
- ADV-2010-0682 vdb-entry
- http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4435
- 62670 vdb-entry
- MDVSA-2010:063 vendor-advisory
- ADV-2010-0605 vdb-entry
- FEDORA-2010-3414 vendor-advisory
- ADV-2010-0626 vdb-entry
- ADV-2010-0686 vdb-entry
- 39251 third-party-advisory
- ADV-2010-1107 vdb-entry
- MDVSA-2010:064 vendor-advisory
- libpng-pngdecompresschunk-dos(56661) vdb-entry
- SUSE-SR:2010:011 vendor-advisory
- USN-913-1 vendor-advisory
- APPLE-SA-2010-11-10-1 vendor-advisory
- SUSE-SR:2010:013 vendor-advisory
- DSA-2032 vendor-advisory
- 41574 third-party-advisory
- [security-announce] 20100923 VMSA-2010-0014 VMware Workstation, Player, and ACE address several security issues mailing-list
- FEDORA-2010-3375 vendor-advisory
- 38774 third-party-advisory
- SUSE-SR:2010:012 vendor-advisory
- ADV-2010-0637 vdb-entry
- VU#576029 third-party-advisory
- FEDORA-2010-4683 vendor-advisory
- 38478 vdb-entry
- ADV-2010-2491 vdb-entry
- http://libpng.sourceforge.net/ADVISORY-1.4.1.html
- 1023674 vdb-entry
- ADV-2010-0847 vdb-entry
- ADV-2010-0667 vdb-entry
- FEDORA-2010-2988 vendor-advisory
- http://libpng.sourceforge.net/decompression_bombs.html