Code execution via undersized Palette buffer
Published Apr 14, 2022 · Updated Apr 15, 2025
Heap-based buffer overflow in Accusoft ImageGear 19.10 allows attackers to execute code by supplying a crafted JPEG 2000 file. The Palette box parser calculates the NE field's required bit count after shifting the value, allocates an undersized palette buffer, then copies the full palette into it. Exploitation requires an integrating application to load the malicious image; the overwrite executes code in that application's process.
Summary
What happened
Heap-based buffer overflow in Accusoft ImageGear 19.10 allows attackers to execute code by supplying a crafted JPEG 2000 file. The Palette box parser calculates the NE field's required bit count after shifting the value, allocates an undersized palette buffer, then copies the full palette into it. Exploitation requires an integrating application to load the malicious image; the overwrite executes code in that application's process.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2021-21938
- Published
- Apr 14, 2022
- Updated
- Apr 15, 2025
- Vendor
- Accusoft
- Product
- ImageGear
- Classifications
- CWE-193, T1203
- Attack vector
- network
- Privileges
- unauthenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Apr 14, 2022CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Apr 15, 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?
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- Affected versionversion=19.10
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
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.
Public exploit references
- Cisco Talos Palette parser proof of conceptproof of concept · demonstrated
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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