CVE catalog

CVE-2026-33023

libsixel is a SIXEL encoder/decoder implementation derived from kmiya's sixel. In versions 1.8.7 and prior, when built with the --with-gdk-pixbuf2 option, a use-after-free vulnerability exists in load

[CVE catalog]

Severity
High · CVSS 7.8CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Published
Source
[NVD] · [CVE record]
EPSS
0.29% · Oct 25, 2026

libsixel is a SIXEL encoder/decoder implementation derived from kmiya's sixel. In versions 1.8.7 and prior, when built with the --with-gdk-pixbuf2 option, a use-after-free vulnerability exists in load_with_gdkpixbuf() in loader.c. The cleanup path manually frees the sixel_frame_t object and its internal buffers without consulting the reference count, even though the object was created via the refcounted constructor sixel_frame_new() and exposed to the public callback. A callback that calls sixel_frame_ref(frame) to retain a logically valid reference will hold a dangling pointer after sixel_helper_load_image_file() returns, and any subsequent access to the frame or its fields triggers a use-after-free confirmed by AddressSanitizer. The root cause is a consistency failure between two cleanup strategies in the same codebase: sixel_frame_unref() is used in load_with_builtin() but raw free() is used in load_with_gdkpixbuf(). An attacker supplying a crafted image to any application built against libsixel with gdk-pixbuf2 support can trigger this reliably, potentially leading to information disclosure, memory corruption, or code execution. This issue has been fixed in version 1.8.7-r1.

Vulnerable and fixed packages

Distribution-reported package versions and fixes. These do not depend on matching against the OpenFactory package catalog.

DistributionPackageReleaseVersionStatus
Debianlibsixelsid1:1.8.7-r2-1fixed
Debianlibsixelforky1:1.8.7-r2-1fixed
Debianlibsixeltrixie1.10.5-1vulnerable
Debianlibsixelbookworm1.10.3-3vulnerable
CpelibsixelNot reportedNot reportedvulnerable
CpelibsixelNot reportedNot reportedunknown

Fixed-version evidence

DistributionPackageTypeReleaseFixed versionUrgencyOriginBugs
Debianlibsixelsourcesid1:1.8.7-r2-1not yet assignedNot reported[1136211]
Debianlibsixelsourceforky1:1.8.7-r2-1not yet assignedNot reported[1136211]
Debianlibsixelsourcetrixie(unfixed)not yet assignedNot reported[1136211]
Debianlibsixelsourcebookworm(unfixed)not yet assignedNot reported[1136211]

[Debian bug #1136211]

Notes

[trixie] libsixel: Minor issue [bookworm] libsixel: Minor issue

OpenFactory catalog packages

[Debian 12 (Bookworm)]

  • [libsixel1]Affected

    Source package: [libsixel]

    Details (2)
    • 1.10.3-3 · amd64 · bookworm

      Affected

      nvd · libsixel · debian · bookworm; nvd · libsixel · debian · 12

    • 1.10.3-3 · arm64 · bookworm

      Affected

      nvd · libsixel · debian · bookworm; nvd · libsixel · debian · 12

  • [libsixel-bin]Affected

    Source package: [libsixel]

    Details (2)
    • 1.10.3-3 · amd64 · bookworm

      Affected

      nvd · libsixel · debian · bookworm; nvd · libsixel · debian · 12

    • 1.10.3-3 · arm64 · bookworm

      Affected

      nvd · libsixel · debian · bookworm; nvd · libsixel · debian · 12

  • [libsixel-dev]Affected

    Source package: [libsixel]

    Details (2)
    • 1.10.3-3 · amd64 · bookworm

      Affected

      nvd · libsixel · debian · bookworm; nvd · libsixel · debian · 12

    • 1.10.3-3 · arm64 · bookworm

      Affected

      nvd · libsixel · debian · bookworm; nvd · libsixel · debian · 12

  • Source package: [libsixel]

    Details (2)
    • 1.10.3-3 · all · bookworm

      Affected

      nvd · libsixel · debian · bookworm; nvd · libsixel · debian · 12

    • 1.10.3-3 · all · bookworm

      Affected

      nvd · libsixel · debian · bookworm; nvd · libsixel · debian · 12

[Debian 13 (Trixie)]

  • [libsixel1]Affected

    Source package: [libsixel]

    Details (2)
    • 1.10.5-1 · amd64 · trixie

      Affected

      nvd · libsixel · debian · 13

    • 1.10.5-1 · arm64 · trixie

      Affected

      nvd · libsixel · debian · 13

  • [libsixel-bin]Affected

    Source package: [libsixel]

    Details (2)
    • 1.10.5-1 · amd64 · trixie

      Affected

      nvd · libsixel · debian · 13

    • 1.10.5-1 · arm64 · trixie

      Affected

      nvd · libsixel · debian · 13

  • [libsixel-dev]Affected

    Source package: [libsixel]

    Details (2)
    • 1.10.5-1 · amd64 · trixie

      Affected

      nvd · libsixel · debian · 13

    • 1.10.5-1 · arm64 · trixie

      Affected

      nvd · libsixel · debian · 13

  • Source package: [libsixel]

    Details (2)
    • 1.10.5-1 · all · trixie

      Affected

      nvd · libsixel · debian · 13

    • 1.10.5-1 · all · trixie

      Affected

      nvd · libsixel · debian · 13

Observed:

References