🛡️ CVE-2026-33636 on Debian — libpng1.6
Description
LIBPNG is a reference library for use in applications that read, create, and manipulate PNG (Portable Network Graphics) raster image files. In versions 1.6.36 through 1.6.55, an out-of-bounds read and write exists in libpng's ARM/AArch64 Neon-optimized palette expansion path. When expanding 8-bit paletted rows to RGB or RGBA, the Neon loop processes a final partial chunk without verifying that enough input pixels remain. Because the implementation works backward from the end of the row, the final iteration dereferences pointers before the start of the row buffer (OOB read) and writes expanded pixel data to the same underflowed positions (OOB write). This is reachable via normal decoding of attacker-controlled PNG input if Neon is enabled. Version 1.6.56 fixes the issue.
Distribution advisory
This page covers CVE-2026-33636 as tracked by Debian, for the package libpng1.6. The fix is available in version 1.6.56-1; earlier versions remain affected.
How this vulnerability can be exploited
This issue can be reached over the network, attack complexity is low, an attacker needs no privileges on the target. A user must be tricked into taking some action. The scope is unchanged, so the impact stays within the vulnerable component. Rated impact: confidentiality low, integrity low, availability high.
Weakness class
DEBIAN-CVE-2026-33636 is classified as CWE-125: Out-of-bounds Read. The code reads past the limits of a buffer, exposing adjacent memory contents or crashing the process.
Affected software
DEBIAN-CVE-2026-33636 is recorded against 1 package.
- libpng1.6 (fixed in 1.6.56-1)
Timeline and source
Published on 26 March 2026 and last revised on 4 August 2026. No public exploit is currently recorded for this entry. Record sourced from OSV.
References
CVE-2026-33636 on other distributions
Each distribution ships its own build and its own fixed version. Pick the one you run:
Details
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:H
Affected Packages
| Software | From version | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| libpng1.6 | — | 1.6.56-1 |
References
Similar Threats
- Unknown DEBIAN-CVE-2026-40930
- Unknown DEBIAN-CVE-2026-34757
- Unknown DEBIAN-CVE-2026-33416
- Unknown DEBIAN-CVE-2026-33636
- Unknown DEBIAN-CVE-2026-3713
Site Security Check
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