Heap Buffer Over-read in libpng Affects Image Processing Applications

CVE-2025-64505

What is CVE-2025-64505?

CVE-2025-64505 is a vulnerability in the libpng library, which is instrumental for applications that read, create, and manipulate PNG (Portable Network Graphics) image files. This vulnerability exists in the png_do_quantize function, affecting versions prior to 1.6.51. It is characterized by a heap buffer over-read caused by improper validation of array boundaries when processing PNG files with malformed palette indices. An attacker could exploit this flaw by crafting a specially designed PNG file that supplies out-of-range palette indices, resulting in out-of-bounds memory access. As a consequence, organizations using affected versions of libpng may face serious security risks, including potential system instability and exposure to further attacks.

Potential impact of CVE-2025-64505

1. Data Corruption: Exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to data corruption issues within applications that utilize libpng, as the improper memory access may alter the integrity of processed image files, resulting in malfunctions or loss of critical data.

2. Denial of Service (DoS): The heap buffer over-read could result in unexpected behavior or crashes of the applications relying on libpng for image processing. This disruption may lead to a denial-of-service condition, rendering these applications unavailable to users.

3. Security Breaches: Although the vulnerability is not currently known to be actively exploited in the wild, successful exploitation could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code within the affected application environment, potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive information or the overall system.

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