Description
libsixel is a SIXEL encoder/decoder implementation derived from kmiya's sixel. From to 1.8.7-r1, a wrong NULL check after an allocation call in sixel_decode_raw and sixel_decode causes a NULL pointer dereference whenever the allocation fails. The check tests the address of the output parameter (always non-NULL) instead of the value the malloc returned. On allocation failure, the function continues and writes through a NULL pointer, crashing the process. This is a denial of service against any caller of these public APIs that hits a low-memory condition. This vulnerability is fixed in 1.8.7-r2.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected | Fixed |
|---|---|---|---|
| saitoha | libsixel | >= 1.0.0, < 1.8.7-r2 | — |
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 | libsixel | 1:1.8.7-r2-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | libsixel | No fix yet | — |
| Debian 12 | libsixel | No fix yet | — |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 26.10 | libsixel | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu 26.04 LTS | libsixel | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu 25.10 | libsixel | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu 24.04 LTS | libsixel | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | libsixel | No fix yet | — |
Show 3 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 20.04 LTS | libsixel | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu 18.04 LTS | libsixel | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu 16.04 LTS | libsixel | No fix yet | — |
openSUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| openSUSE Tumbleweed | libsixel | 1.10.5-3.1 | openSUSE-SU-2026:12420-1 |
Advisories 1
- openSUSE-SU-2026:12420-1 libsixel-bash-completion-1.10.5-3.1 on GA media SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Nov 5, 2026