CVE-2020-35511Known exploitation

Local code execution via global buffer overflow

Published Aug 23, 2022 · Updated Aug 4, 2024

A buffer overflow in pngcheck 2.4.0 allows local users to execute arbitrary code via a crafted PNG file supplied for local processing. The pngcheck function mishandles crafted PNG input and overruns a global buffer during parsing. Exploitation requires a user or automated process to open the malicious file; the resulting process compromise can affect confidentiality, integrity and availability.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.36%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationReported
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

A buffer overflow in pngcheck 2.4.0 allows local users to execute arbitrary code via a crafted PNG file supplied for local processing. The pngcheck function mishandles crafted PNG input and overruns a global buffer during parsing. Exploitation requires a user or automated process to open the malicious file; the resulting process compromise can affect confidentiality, integrity and availability.

The record

CVE
CVE-2020-35511
Published
Aug 23, 2022
Updated
Aug 4, 2024
Vendor
PNG Development Group
Product
pngcheck
Classifications
CWE-119, CWE-126, T1203
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Aug 23, 2022CVE 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?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=pngcheck-2.4.0

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

PNG Development Group · pngcheckversion=pngcheck-2.4.0

Published CVSS scores

7.8NVDCVSS: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.

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No observations available

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

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-119Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer
CWE-126Buffer Over-read
T1203Exploitation for Client Execution

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

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

Reported exploitation

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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