CVE-2024-42851Public exploit

Local code execution via EXIF heap overflow

Published Aug 27, 2024 · Updated Aug 28, 2024

Heap-buffer overflow in Eric Johnston exiftags 1.01 allows local users to execute arbitrary code by processing a crafted JPEG file. The parsetag function passes prop->value to strncpy, which reads 30 bytes beyond the allocated input region while parsing EXIF metadata. Exploitation requires the local utility to parse attacker-controlled JPEG data; the public artifact demonstrates a crash, and Debian disputes security impact.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.28%
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 Eric Johnston exiftags 1.01 allows local users to execute arbitrary code by processing a crafted JPEG file. The parsetag function passes prop->value to strncpy, which reads 30 bytes beyond the allocated input region while parsing EXIF metadata. Exploitation requires the local utility to parse attacker-controlled JPEG data; the public artifact demonstrates a crash, and Debian disputes security impact.

The record

CVE
CVE-2024-42851
Published
Aug 27, 2024
Updated
Aug 28, 2024
Vendor
Eric Johnston
Product
exiftags
Classifications
CWE-787, CWE-122, T1203
Attack vector
local
Privileges
Unavailable

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Aug 27, 2024CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 28, 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=1.01

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesUnavailable in this record.

What is affected?

Eric Johnston · exiftagsversion=1.01

Published CVSS scores

7.8NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
8.4CISA-ADPCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/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)
Vectorlocal
PrivilegesUnavailable
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-787Out-of-bounds Write
CWE-122Heap-based 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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