CVE-2025-26623
CVE-2025-26623 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Exiv2 with a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8. 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-416.
Key facts
- Severity: Critical (CVSS 3.x base score 9.8)
- CVSS v4: 5.3
- EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (53rd percentile)
- Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
- EU (EUVD) id: EUVD-2025-4463
- Weakness: CWE-416
- Affected product: Exiv2
- Published:
- Last modified:
Description
Exiv2 is a C++ library and a command-line utility to read, write, delete and modify Exif, IPTC, XMP and ICC image metadata. A heap buffer overflow was found in Exiv2 versions v0.28.0 to v0.28.4. Versions prior to v0.28.0, such as v0.27.7, are **not** affected. Exiv2 is a command-line utility and C++ library for reading, writing, deleting, and modifying the metadata of image files. The heap overflow is triggered when Exiv2 is used to write metadata into a crafted image file. An attacker could potentially exploit the vulnerability to gain code execution, if they can trick the victim into running Exiv2 on a crafted image file. Note that this bug is only triggered when writing the metadata, which is a less frequently used Exiv2 operation than reading the metadata. For example, to trigger the bug in the Exiv2 command-line application, you need to add an extra command-line argument such as `fixiso`. The bug is fixed in version v0.28.5. Users are advised to upgrade. There are no known workarounds for this vulnerability.
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2025-26623?
- Exiv2 is a C++ library and a command-line utility to read, write, delete and modify Exif, IPTC, XMP and ICC image metadata. A heap buffer overflow was found in Exiv2 versions v0.28.0 to v0.28.4. Versions prior to v0.28.0, such as v0.27.7, are **not** affected. Exiv2 is a command-line utility and C++ library for reading, writing, deleting, and modifying the metadata of image files. The heap overflow is triggered when Exiv2 is used to write metadata into a crafted image file. An attacker could potentially exploit the vulnerability to gain code execution, if they can trick the victim into running Exiv2 on a crafted image file. Note that this bug is only triggered when writing the metadata, which is a less frequently used Exiv2 operation than reading the metadata. For example, to trigger the bug in the Exiv2 command-line application, you need to add an extra command-line argument such as `fixiso`. The bug is fixed in version v0.28.5. Users are advised to upgrade. There are no known workarounds for this vulnerability.
- How severe is CVE-2025-26623?
- CVE-2025-26623 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
- Is CVE-2025-26623 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-2025-26623?
- CVE-2025-26623 affects Exiv2. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
- How do I fix CVE-2025-26623?
- Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
- Does CVE-2025-26623 have an EU (EUVD) identifier?
- Yes. CVE-2025-26623 is tracked in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (EUVD) as EUVD-2025-4463.
- When was CVE-2025-26623 published?
- CVE-2025-26623 was published on 2025-02-18 and last updated on 2026-06-17.
References
- https://github.com/Exiv2/exiv2/issues/3168
- https://github.com/Exiv2/exiv2/security/advisories/GHSA-38h4-fx85-qcx7
Affected products (1)
- cpe:2.3:a:exiv2:exiv2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
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