CVE-2026-4755 Overview
CVE-2026-4755 is a critical improper input validation vulnerability (CWE-20) affecting MolotovCherry Android-ImageMagick7, a popular Android port of the ImageMagick image processing library. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to potentially compromise Android applications that utilize the affected library versions.
Critical Impact
This vulnerability can be exploited remotely without authentication, potentially leading to complete compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability of affected Android applications.
Affected Products
- MolotovCherry Android-ImageMagick7 versions before 7.1.2-11
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-03-24 - CVE-2026-4755 published to NVD
- 2026-03-26 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-4755
Vulnerability Analysis
This vulnerability stems from improper input validation (CWE-20) within the Android-ImageMagick7 library. When the library processes specially crafted image data, insufficient validation of input parameters allows attackers to manipulate processing logic in unintended ways. The network-based attack vector means that malicious image files delivered over the network—whether through downloads, messaging applications, or web content—could trigger the vulnerability without requiring user credentials or complex preconditions.
The impact scope includes potential unauthorized access to sensitive data processed by the application, modification of application behavior or data, and denial of service conditions that could render the application unusable.
Root Cause
The root cause lies in inadequate input validation within the ImageMagick processing routines ported to Android. When parsing or processing image data, the library fails to properly sanitize or validate certain input parameters before use, creating an exploitable condition. This type of vulnerability in image processing libraries is particularly concerning due to the untrusted nature of image data that applications commonly handle.
Attack Vector
The vulnerability is exploitable over the network without requiring authentication or user interaction. An attacker could craft a malicious image file designed to exploit the input validation weakness. When a vulnerable Android application attempts to process this image—whether for display, thumbnail generation, or format conversion—the improper validation could be triggered.
Attack scenarios may include:
- Serving malicious images via web content rendered in vulnerable applications
- Sending crafted image attachments through messaging platforms
- Embedding malicious images in documents or media files processed by affected applications
The vulnerability mechanism involves the library's failure to properly validate input during image processing operations. For complete technical details and the specific fix, refer to the GitHub Pull Request #193 which addresses this issue.
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-4755
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected application crashes or errors during image processing operations
- Anomalous memory usage patterns when handling image files
- Application logs showing ImageMagick processing errors on specific image inputs
- Unusual network requests or behaviors following image processing operations
Detection Strategies
- Implement application-level monitoring for crashes related to image processing components
- Deploy network traffic analysis to identify potentially malicious image payloads targeting ImageMagick vulnerabilities
- Monitor application behavior for signs of exploitation such as unexpected code execution or privilege escalation
- Review application crash reports for stack traces involving Android-ImageMagick7 components
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable verbose logging for image processing operations during security assessments
- Implement input validation monitoring at application boundaries where images are received
- Deploy runtime application self-protection (RASP) solutions capable of detecting exploitation attempts
- Monitor for unusual process spawning or file system activity following image processing events
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-4755
Immediate Actions Required
- Upgrade Android-ImageMagick7 to version 7.1.2-11 or later immediately
- Audit all Android applications using the affected library and prioritize remediation
- Consider temporarily disabling image processing features if immediate patching is not possible
- Implement additional input validation at application boundaries as a defense-in-depth measure
Patch Information
The vulnerability has been addressed in Android-ImageMagick7 version 7.1.2-11. The fix is available through the official repository. Developers should update their dependencies to include the patched version by referencing the GitHub Pull Request #193 for implementation details.
To update, modify your project's dependency configuration to require version 7.1.2-11 or later and rebuild your application.
Workarounds
- Implement strict input validation for all image data before passing to ImageMagick processing functions
- Restrict image sources to trusted origins where possible
- Deploy content-type verification to ensure received data matches expected image formats
- Consider sandboxing image processing operations to limit potential impact of exploitation
# Update Android-ImageMagick7 dependency to patched version
# In your build.gradle or dependency configuration, ensure:
# implementation 'com.github.MolotovCherry:Android-ImageMagick7:7.1.2-11'
# or later version
# Verify installed version after update
./gradlew dependencies | grep -i imagemagick
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
