Code execution via unterminated Targa extension strings
Published Dec 23, 2022 · Updated Apr 14, 2025
A stack buffer overflow in OpenImageIO 2.3.19.0 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code by supplying a crafted Targa file. TGAInput::open reads 41- and 324-byte extension strings into a 324-byte stack union without NUL termination, then uses strlen and sprintf past the buffer. Processing the file is the only reported gate; exploitation can disclose stack data, corrupt process memory, crash the process, or execute code.
Summary
What happened
A stack buffer overflow in OpenImageIO 2.3.19.0 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code by supplying a crafted Targa file. TGAInput::open reads 41- and 324-byte extension strings into a 324-byte stack union without NUL termination, then uses strlen and sprintf past the buffer. Processing the file is the only reported gate; exploitation can disclose stack data, corrupt process memory, crash the process, or execute code.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2022-41981
- Published
- Dec 23, 2022
- Updated
- Apr 14, 2025
- Vendor
- Academy Software Foundation
- Product
- OpenImageIO
- Classifications
- CWE-125, CWE-787, CWE-121, T1203
- Attack vector
- network
- Privileges
- unauthenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Dec 23, 2022CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Apr 14, 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?
Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.
- Affected versionversion=v2.3.19.0
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.
Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
- Cisco Talos Targa parser demonstrationproof of concept · demonstrated
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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