How severe is CVE-2021-40266?

CVE-2021-40266 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 6.5, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity none, and availability high.

Is CVE-2021-40266 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (53rd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2021-40266?

CVE-2021-40266 affects Freeimage Project Freeimage. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2021-40266?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.

When was CVE-2021-40266 published?

CVE-2021-40266 was published on 2023-08-22 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2021-40266

CVE-2021-40266 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Freeimage Project Freeimage with a CVSS 3.x base score of 6.5. 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-476.

Key facts

Severity: Medium (CVSS 3.x base score 6.5)
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (53rd percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-476
Affected product: Freeimage Project Freeimage
Published: 2023-08-22
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

FreeImage before 1.18.0, ReadPalette function in PluginTIFF.cpp is vulnerabile to null pointer dereference.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2021-40266?: FreeImage before 1.18.0, ReadPalette function in PluginTIFF.cpp is vulnerabile to null pointer dereference.
How severe is CVE-2021-40266?: CVE-2021-40266 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 6.5, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity none, and availability high.
Is CVE-2021-40266 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (53rd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2021-40266?: CVE-2021-40266 affects Freeimage Project Freeimage. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2021-40266?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.
When was CVE-2021-40266 published?: CVE-2021-40266 was published on 2023-08-22 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:freeimage_project:freeimage:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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CVE-2021-40265 — High (CVSS 8.8): A heap overflow bug exists FreeImage before 1.18.0 via ofLoad function in PluginJPEG.cpp.
CVE-2021-40263 — High (CVSS 8.8): A heap overflow vulnerability in FreeImage 1.18.0 via the ofLoad function in PluginTIFF.cpp.

All CVEs affecting Freeimage Project Freeimage →

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