CVE-2026-25502: iccDEV Buffer Overflow Vulnerability

CVE-2026-25502 Overview

CVE-2026-25502 is a stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability affecting iccDEV, a set of libraries and tools that allow for the interaction, manipulation, and application of ICC color management profiles. Prior to version 2.3.1.2, the icFixXml() function contains a stack-based buffer overflow when processing malformed ICC profiles, allowing potential arbitrary code execution through crafted NamedColor2 tags.

Critical Impact

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code on the target system by tricking a user into opening a maliciously crafted ICC profile file.

Affected Products

• iccDEV versions prior to 2.3.1.2
• Applications and systems utilizing the iccDEV library for ICC color profile management
• Color management workflows processing untrusted ICC profile files

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-02-03 - CVE-2026-25502 published to NVD
• 2026-02-04 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-25502

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified as CWE-121 (Stack-based Buffer Overflow). The flaw exists in the icFixXml() function within the iccDEV library, which processes XML data embedded within ICC color management profiles. When handling malformed ICC profiles containing specially crafted NamedColor2 tags, the function fails to properly validate input boundaries before copying data to a stack-allocated buffer.

The attack requires local access and user interaction—specifically, a victim must open or process a malicious ICC profile file. Once triggered, the buffer overflow can overwrite critical stack data including return addresses, potentially redirecting program execution to attacker-controlled code. This grants the attacker the ability to compromise confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system with the privileges of the user running the application.

Root Cause

The root cause of this vulnerability is insufficient bounds checking in the icFixXml() function when parsing NamedColor2 tag data from ICC profiles. The function allocates a fixed-size buffer on the stack and copies XML data without validating that the input length does not exceed the buffer capacity. When a malformed ICC profile contains oversized or specially crafted NamedColor2 tag content, this leads to a classic stack-based buffer overflow condition.

Attack Vector

The attack vector for CVE-2026-25502 is local, requiring an attacker to deliver a malicious ICC profile file to the target system. Exploitation scenarios include:

1. Email attachment - Attacker sends a malicious ICC profile disguised as a legitimate color profile
2. Web download - User downloads a crafted ICC profile from a malicious or compromised website
3. File sharing - Malicious profile distributed through shared drives or collaboration platforms
4. Image processing - ICC profile embedded within an image file processed by vulnerable applications

Once a user opens or processes the malicious ICC profile with an application using the vulnerable iccDEV library, the buffer overflow is triggered. The vulnerability does not require elevated privileges to exploit, but the attacker gains code execution with the privileges of the targeted user or application.

The vulnerability mechanism involves the improper handling of NamedColor2 tags within ICC profiles. When the icFixXml() function processes these tags, it copies data to a stack buffer without adequate length validation, allowing an attacker to overflow the buffer and potentially overwrite the return address to redirect execution flow. For detailed technical information, see the GitHub Security Advisory.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-25502

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected crashes or segmentation faults in applications using iccDEV library when processing ICC profiles
• Abnormal process behavior following ICC profile processing operations
• Stack corruption errors in application logs related to color profile handling
• Suspicious ICC profile files with unusually large or malformed NamedColor2 tag sections

Detection Strategies

• Monitor for applications using iccDEV library versions prior to 2.3.1.2 through software inventory management
• Implement file integrity monitoring for ICC profile directories and color management configuration paths
• Deploy endpoint detection rules to identify exploitation attempts targeting stack-based buffer overflows
• Analyze incoming ICC profile files for anomalous NamedColor2 tag structures before processing

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable enhanced logging for applications that process ICC color profiles
• Configure crash dump collection and analysis for applications using the iccDEV library
• Monitor process execution patterns for signs of code injection following ICC profile operations
• Implement network monitoring for unusual outbound connections from color management applications

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-25502

Immediate Actions Required

• Update iccDEV library to version 2.3.1.2 or later immediately
• Audit systems for applications using vulnerable versions of the iccDEV library
• Restrict processing of ICC profiles from untrusted sources until patching is complete
• Implement application allowlisting to prevent unauthorized code execution

Patch Information

The vulnerability has been patched in iccDEV version 2.3.1.2. Organizations should update to this version or later to remediate the vulnerability. The fix addresses the buffer overflow by implementing proper bounds checking in the icFixXml() function before copying NamedColor2 tag data.

Detailed patch information is available through the following resources:

• GitHub Security Advisory
• GitHub Commit Reference
• GitHub Pull Request
• GitHub Issue Report

Workarounds

• Disable or restrict ICC profile processing functionality in affected applications until patching is complete
• Implement input validation to reject ICC profiles with suspicious NamedColor2 tag structures
• Run applications using the iccDEV library with reduced privileges to limit exploitation impact
• Deploy application sandboxing to contain potential code execution from exploitation attempts

# Verify iccDEV library version
# Check for vulnerable versions and update to 2.3.1.2 or later
find /usr -name "libicc*" -exec strings {} \; | grep -i version

# Update iccDEV from source (after downloading patched version)
cd iccDEV-2.3.1.2
mkdir build && cd build
cmake ..
make && sudo make install