Description
The png_err function in pngerror.c in libpng 1.0.x before 1.0.55, 1.2.x before 1.2.45, 1.4.x before 1.4.8, and 1.5.x before 1.5.4 makes a function call using a NULL pointer argument instead of an empty-string argument, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) via a crafted PNG image.
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 6.0 | libpng | 1.2.44-1+squeeze1 | DSA-2287-1 |
| Debian 5.0 | libpng | 1.2.27-2+lenny5 | DSA-2287-1 |
openSUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| openSUSE Tumbleweed | libpng16 | 1.6.26-1.1 | openSUSE-SU-2024:10050-1 |
Azure Linux
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Azure Linux 3 | syslinux | 6.04-11 | — |
Advisories 2
- DSA-2287-1 libpng - several vulnerabilities Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2024:10050-1 libpng16-16-1.6.26-1.1 on GA media SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
References
- 49660 third-party-advisory
- 48660 vdb-entry
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=720608
- http://libpng.git.sourceforge.net/git/gitweb.cgi?p=libpng/libpng%3Ba=commit%3Bh=9dad5e37aef295b4ef8dea39392b652deebc9261
- 45046 third-party-advisory
- libpng-pngdefaulterror-dos(68537) vdb-entry
- MDVSA-2011:151 vendor-advisory
- GLSA-201206-15 vendor-advisory
- http://www.libpng.org/pub/png/libpng.html
- FEDORA-2011-9336 vendor-advisory
- DSA-2287 vendor-advisory
- APPLE-SA-2011-10-12-3 vendor-advisory
- 45405 third-party-advisory
- [oss-security] 20110713 Security issues fixed in libpng 1.5.4 mailing-list
- SSRT100852 vendor-advisory
- http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5002
- 45492 third-party-advisory