CVE-2026-25503 Overview
CVE-2026-25503 is a type confusion vulnerability affecting iccDEV, a widely-used set of libraries and tools for interaction, manipulation, and application of ICC color management profiles. Prior to version 2.3.1.2, malformed ICC profiles could trigger undefined behavior when loading invalid icImageEncodingType values, resulting in denial of service conditions.
The vulnerability stems from improper type handling in the image encoding type enumeration, where the underlying type was insufficient to properly contain all possible 32-bit values that could be written in ICC profiles.
Critical Impact
Attackers can craft malicious ICC profile files that, when processed by applications using vulnerable iccDEV library versions, cause denial of service through undefined behavior triggered by type confusion.
Affected Products
- iccDEV library versions prior to 2.3.1.2
- Applications utilizing the IccProfLib component for ICC profile processing
- Software integrating iccDEV for color management functionality
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-02-03 - CVE-2026-25503 published to NVD
- 2026-02-04 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-25503
Vulnerability Analysis
This vulnerability is classified as CWE-704 (Incorrect Type Conversion or Cast), specifically manifesting as a type confusion issue. The flaw exists in the CIccTagEmbeddedHeightImage::Validate() function within the IccProfLib component.
The core issue lies in the icImageEncodingType enumeration definition found in IccProfLib/icProfileHeader.h. The original implementation used a default enum type that could not adequately represent the full range of unsigned 32-bit values that ICC profiles may contain for image encoding type fields. When malformed profiles containing out-of-range values were loaded, the type mismatch triggered undefined behavior.
The vulnerability requires user interaction for exploitation—an attacker must convince a user to open a maliciously crafted ICC profile file using an application that leverages the vulnerable iccDEV library.
Root Cause
The root cause is an insufficient underlying type for the icImageEncodingType enumeration. ICC profile specifications allow for unsigned 32-bit values in the image encoding type field, but the original enum definition used a default type that could not properly represent all valid 32-bit values. This created a type confusion scenario when profiles contained values outside the expected range of icPngImageType (0x0000) and icTiffImageType (0x0001).
Attack Vector
The attack vector is network-based, requiring no privileges but depending on user interaction. An attacker would:
- Craft a malicious ICC profile file containing an invalid or out-of-range icImageEncodingType value
- Distribute the malformed profile via email, web download, or embedded in image files
- When a victim opens or processes the file using software built with vulnerable iccDEV versions, the type confusion triggers undefined behavior
- This results in denial of service through application crash or hang
// Security patch from IccProfLib/icProfileHeader.h
// Source: https://github.com/InternationalColorConsortium/iccDEV/commit/353e6517a31cb6ac9fdd44ac0103bc2fadb25175
} icSparseMatrixType;
-/* Image encoding type encodings for embeddedHeightImageType and embeddedNormalImageType*/
-typedef enum {
+/** Image encoding type encodings for embeddedHeightImageType and embeddedNormalImageType*/
+/* Despite looking like a bool, it must be capable of holding an unsigned 32 bit value as written in profiles */
+typedef enum : icUInt32Number {
icPngImageType = 0x0000,
icTiffImageType = 0x0001,
+
+/* Convenience Enum Definitions - Not defined in ICC specification */
+ icImageTypeMaximum = 0xffffffff, /* maximum to define range */
} icImageEncodingType;
The patch explicitly defines the enum's underlying type as icUInt32Number (unsigned 32-bit integer) and adds a maximum sentinel value (icImageTypeMaximum = 0xffffffff) to ensure the enum can properly represent all possible values in ICC profiles.
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-25503
Indicators of Compromise
- Application crashes when processing ICC profile files, particularly those from untrusted sources
- Unusual ICC profile files with abnormal size or structure in temporary directories
- Error logs indicating validation failures in image encoding type processing
- System instability when color management features are invoked
Detection Strategies
- Monitor for application crashes associated with ICC profile loading operations
- Implement file integrity monitoring for directories containing ICC profiles
- Deploy endpoint detection rules that flag abnormal ICC profile processing behavior
- Review application logs for repeated failures in color management library functions
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable verbose logging for applications utilizing iccDEV library for color management
- Monitor process behavior when handling ICC profile files from external sources
- Track file access patterns to .icc and .icm profile files
- Implement network monitoring for downloads of ICC profile files from suspicious domains
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-25503
Immediate Actions Required
- Upgrade iccDEV to version 2.3.1.2 or later immediately
- Audit all applications in your environment that utilize iccDEV for ICC profile processing
- Review and restrict sources of ICC profile files in production environments
- Implement application-level controls to validate ICC profiles before processing
Patch Information
The vulnerability has been patched in iccDEV version 2.3.1.2. The fix modifies the icImageEncodingType enumeration to explicitly use icUInt32Number as its underlying type, ensuring proper handling of all possible 32-bit values found in ICC profiles.
Technical references for the patch:
Workarounds
- Restrict ICC profile file uploads and processing to trusted sources only
- Implement application sandboxing for processes that handle ICC profiles
- Use input validation to reject ICC profiles with suspicious characteristics before passing to iccDEV
- Deploy endpoint protection to detect and block exploitation attempts
# Configuration example: Check installed iccDEV version
# Verify your installation is updated to patched version
pkg-config --modversion iccDEV
# Expected output should be 2.3.1.2 or higher
# Update via package manager or rebuild from source
git clone https://github.com/InternationalColorConsortium/iccDEV.git
cd iccDEV
git checkout v2.3.1.2
cmake -B build
cmake --build build
sudo cmake --install build
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
