How severe is CVE-2017-16796?

CVE-2017-16796 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2017-16796 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (65th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2017-16796?

CVE-2017-16796 affects Swftools. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2017-16796?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2017-16796 published?

CVE-2017-16796 was published on 2017-11-12 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2017-16796

CVE-2017-16796 is a high-severity vulnerability in Swftools with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-119.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.8)
CVSS v2: 6.8
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (65th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-119
Affected product: Swftools
Published: 2017-11-12
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

In SWFTools 0.9.2, the png_load function in lib/png.c does not check the return value of a realloc call, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (invalid write and application crash) or possibly have unspecified other impact via vectors involving an IDAT tag in a crafted PNG file.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2017-16796?: In SWFTools 0.9.2, the png_load function in lib/png.c does not check the return value of a realloc call, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (invalid write and application crash) or possibly have unspecified other impact via vectors involving an IDAT tag in a crafted PNG file.
How severe is CVE-2017-16796?: CVE-2017-16796 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2017-16796 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (65th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2017-16796?: CVE-2017-16796 affects Swftools. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2017-16796?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2017-16796 published?: CVE-2017-16796 was published on 2017-11-12 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://github.com/matthiaskramm/swftools/issues/51

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:swftools:swftools:0.9.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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