How severe is CVE-2017-5991?

CVE-2017-5991 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity none, and availability high.

Is CVE-2017-5991 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 15% (96th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2017-5991?

CVE-2017-5991 primarily affects Artifex Mupdf. In total, 3 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2017-5991?

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-2017-5991 published?

CVE-2017-5991 was published on 2017-02-15 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2017-5991

CVE-2017-5991 is a high-severity vulnerability in Artifex Mupdf with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score of 15% places it in the 96th percentile, indicating an elevated likelihood of exploitation. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-476.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.5)
CVSS v2: 5.0
EPSS exploit prediction: 15% (96th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-476
Affected product: Artifex Mupdf
Published: 2017-02-15
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

An issue was discovered in Artifex MuPDF before 1912de5f08e90af1d9d0a9791f58ba3afdb9d465. The pdf_run_xobject function in pdf-op-run.c encounters a NULL pointer dereference during a Fitz fz_paint_pixmap_with_mask painting operation. Versions 1.11 and later are unaffected.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2017-5991?: An issue was discovered in Artifex MuPDF before 1912de5f08e90af1d9d0a9791f58ba3afdb9d465. The pdf_run_xobject function in pdf-op-run.c encounters a NULL pointer dereference during a Fitz fz_paint_pixmap_with_mask painting operation. Versions 1.11 and later are unaffected.
How severe is CVE-2017-5991?: CVE-2017-5991 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity none, and availability high.
Is CVE-2017-5991 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 15% (96th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2017-5991?: CVE-2017-5991 primarily affects Artifex Mupdf. In total, 3 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2017-5991?: 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-2017-5991 published?: CVE-2017-5991 was published on 2017-02-15 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (3)

cpe:2.3:a:artifex:mupdf:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:8.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:9.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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Other CWE-476 (NULL Pointer Dereference) vulnerabilities

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