CVE-2020-28248Public exploitNetwork attack vector

Heap overwrite via overflowing image-size multiplication

Published Feb 19, 2021 · Updated Aug 4, 2024

Heap buffer overflow in png-img before 3.1.0 allows attackers to corrupt process memory by supplying a crafted PNG file. PngImg::InitStorage_ multiplies attacker-controlled height and derived row-byte values as 32-bit integers, allocating a truncated buffer before row pointers write beyond it. Applications that process untrusted PNG files expose the flaw; the controlled overwrite can crash the process or enable arbitrary code execution.

CVSS severity8.8
High
EPSS probability2.22%
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 png-img before 3.1.0 allows attackers to corrupt process memory by supplying a crafted PNG file. PngImg::InitStorage_ multiplies attacker-controlled height and derived row-byte values as 32-bit integers, allocating a truncated buffer before row pointers write beyond it. Applications that process untrusted PNG files expose the flaw; the controlled overwrite can crash the process or enable arbitrary code execution.

The record

CVE
CVE-2020-28248
Published
Feb 19, 2021
Updated
Aug 4, 2024
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
CWE-787, CWE-190, T1203
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Feb 19, 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

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-787Out-of-bounds Write
CWE-190Integer Overflow or Wraparound
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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