CVE-2026-32741 — libheif has a heap buffer overflow in decode_mask_image()
libheif is a HEIF and AVIF file format decoder and encoder. Versions 1.21.2 and below contain a heap buffer overflow in MaskImageCodec::decode_mask_image(). When decoding a HEIF file containing a mask image (mski), the function copies the full iloc extent data into a pixel buffer using memcpy(dst, data.data(), data.size()). The copy length data.size() is determined by the iloc extent in the file (attacker-controlled), while the destination buffer is sized based on the declared image dimensions. Because no upper-bound check exists on the data length, a crafted file whose iloc extent exceeds the pixel buffer allocation overflows the heap. The vulnerable single-memcpy branch is reached when the mskC property specifies bits_per_pixel = 8 and the ispe property declares an even width ≥ 64 (so that stride == width), with no changes to default security limits or external codec plugins required. This issue has been fixed in version 1.22.0.
Who exploits it and how urgent it is
A 0–100 score combining confirmed exploitation, ransomware and APT use, public exploits, EPSS and severity.
How the score was calculated
- EPSS 0.4% (30-day exploitation probability)+6
- Technical severity (high)+6
- CISA SSVC: exploitation "poc"+5
The score orders the patch queue; it does not replace your asset context (internet exposure, criticality, compensating controls).
Triage
Is it exploited, how likely is exploitation, what does it touch, and how severe do the sources call it.
CISA SSVC assessment CISA
Three decision points CISA publishes for the CVEs it assesses (SSVC 2.0.3). A stakeholder decision, not a severity score.
Remediation
Fixes and mitigations documented by the sources — linked to the original advisory.
No fix documented by the sources we poll. That does not mean none exists: check the vendor advisory.
First 24 hours
Ordered from the record’s own fields — exposure first, because you cannot patch what you have not found. A rule-generated starting point.
- Identify exposed assets running the affected vendor/product/version combinations (Strukturag Libheif).
- The attack is network-based and needs no privileges: restrict exposure (ACLs, VPN, WAF) until patched.
- No fix documented in the sources: reduce exposure and monitor the vendor advisory.
- Exploitation requires user interaction: tighten email/web filtering and warn affected users.
- Search available logs for exploit probes matching the vulnerability class (memory corruption), errors and authentication anomalies.
Affected scope
Vendor, product and versions as the sources word them.
| Vendor | Product | Versions | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strukturag | Libheif | version < 1.22.0 | Vulnerable | CVE Program (cve.org) e CISA ADP |
Attack characteristics
The CVSS vector, decoded. It describes the attack, not your exposure to it.
Every base score collected
Sources score independently and may disagree; each row says who scored it and under which version.
| Score | Version | Severity | Expl. | Impact | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7.1 | CVSS 3.1 | High | 2.8 | 4.2 | security-advisories@github.com via NIST National Vulnerability Database |
| 7.1 | CVSS 3.1 | High | 2.8 | 4.2 | 0b0ca135-0b70-47e7-9f44-1890c2a1c46c via NIST National Vulnerability Database |
| 7.1 | CVSS 3.1 | High | — | — | GitHub_M via CVE Program (cve.org) e CISA ADP |
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:H (score shown at the top: security-advisories@github.com) Weakness MITRE
Weakness class according to MITRE’s CWE catalog.
EPSS over time FIRST
Oct 13, 2026 → Oct 14, 2026 · 2 reading(s) · max 0.45%
Detection
Read off the CVSS vector and the weakness class. Starting points, not tested rules.
- Prioritize edge telemetry for the network-reachable component (proxy, WAF, IDS/IPS).
- Correlate service crashes/restarts with inbound traffic; repeated crashes may indicate attempts.
Timeline
What happened to this CVE, newest first.
- 2026
- Affected products added · strukturag/libheif
- SSVC assessment updated
- Record published
- CVSS changed · 7.1
- Source status changed · → Deferred
- Record created in this database
- CVE published
Source activity
Repeated readings are counted rather than listed.
- 1× Official description updated · Oct 13, 2026 – Oct 13, 2026
References
5 on the record
Elsewhere on this site
Related CVEs (same products)
- Medium CVE-2026-49271 libheif: Wrapped icef compressed-unit range check causes out-of-bounds read in uncompressed HEIF decoder Jun 19, 2026
- High CVE-2026-41071 libheif: Heap buffer over-read in SampleAuxInfoReader via crafted HEIF sequence file with mismatched saiz sample count May 22, 2026
- Medium CVE-2026-41069 libheif allows Out-of-bounds vector access leading to invalid dereference (DoS) May 22, 2026
- High CVE-2026-32882 libheif: Heap Buffer OOB Read in overlay compositing due to wrong alpha stride May 19, 2026
- Medium CVE-2026-32814 libheif: Uninitialized Heap Memory Information Leak via Failed Grid Tiles May 19, 2026
- High CVE-2026-32740 libheif: Heap-Buffer-Overflow Write in Grid Tile Chroma Compositing May 19, 2026
Not in any source we poll
Listed rather than left blank: an empty field and an unmeasured one look identical on screen, and only one is a reason to look elsewhere.
- No fixed version, patch or mitigation documented.
- No confirmed IOCs, IP addresses, domains, file hashes, or malware artifacts supplied.
- No organization-specific asset inventory, compensating-control status, or patch deployment evidence supplied.
- No exploit packet captures, log samples, or incident case IDs supplied.
Answered from this record
Text assembled only from the fields above — no additional claims.
What should defenders know first?
CVE-2026-32741 is "libheif has a heap buffer overflow in decode_mask_image()", rated High. It affects Libheif (Strukturag); versions are in the scope table. It is not in CISA KEV, which does not rule out exploitation. CVSS 7.1 describes technical severity. EPSS 0.45% estimates the probability of exploitation in 30 days; neither replaces your asset context. First verify whether exposed or business-critical assets run the affected versions, apply vendor fixes or mitigations, and preserve logs for review.
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