CVE-2020-19499Public exploitNetwork attack vector

Application crash via missing iref null check

Published Jul 21, 2021 · Updated Aug 4, 2024

Out-of-bounds read in libheif 1.4.0 allows context-dependent attackers to crash applications that process a crafted HEIF file. HeifContext::get_id_of_non_virtual_child_image retrieves a missing iref box for a derived image and dereferences the null pointer through Box_iref::get_references instead of rejecting the malformed file. A user or service must pass the untrusted file to a libheif-based processor; the published proof of concept demonstrates a process crash, while broader impact is not established.

CVSS severity8.8
High
EPSS probability1.37%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Out-of-bounds read in libheif 1.4.0 allows context-dependent attackers to crash applications that process a crafted HEIF file. HeifContext::get_id_of_non_virtual_child_image retrieves a missing iref box for a derived image and dereferences the null pointer through Box_iref::get_references instead of rejecting the malformed file. A user or service must pass the untrusted file to a libheif-based processor; the published proof of concept demonstrates a process crash, while broader impact is not established.

The record

CVE
CVE-2020-19499
Published
Jul 21, 2021
Updated
Aug 4, 2024
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
CWE-125, T1499.004
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jul 21, 2021CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 4, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Affected buildAffected product and version details are unavailable.

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.

Published CVSS scores

6.8NIST NVDAV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P
8.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
8.8Canonical UbuntuCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-125Out-of-bounds Read
T1499.004Application or System Exploitation

Public exploit references

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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