CVE-2020-21428Public exploit

Code execution via miscalculated DDS scan-line size

Published Aug 22, 2023 · Updated May 2, 2025

Heap buffer overflow in FreeImage 3.18.0 allows context-dependent attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted DDS image file. LoadRGB calculates the destination scan-line length from the DDS header bit depth instead of the allocated bitmap's actual bit depth, then reads pixel data past the heap buffer. A user or consuming application must process the attacker-supplied DDS content; the overwrite can crash the process or execute code in its security context.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.46%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Heap buffer overflow in FreeImage 3.18.0 allows context-dependent attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted DDS image file. LoadRGB calculates the destination scan-line length from the DDS header bit depth instead of the allocated bitmap's actual bit depth, then reads pixel data past the heap buffer. A user or consuming application must process the attacker-supplied DDS content; the overwrite can crash the process or execute code in its security context.

The record

CVE
CVE-2020-21428
Published
Aug 22, 2023
Updated
May 2, 2025
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
CWE-120, T1203
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Aug 22, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. May 2, 2025Record 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 vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.

Published CVSS scores

3.3CISA-ADPCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N
7.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/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 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-120Buffer Copy without Checking Size of Input ('Classic Buffer Overflow')
T1203Exploitation for Client Execution

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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