HOMEVULNERABILITIESCVE-2011-2501
MEDIUM

CVE-2011-2501

CWE-125Published: July 17, 2011· Updated: Jun 16, 2026

6.5
CVSS v3.1

Official Description

The png_format_buffer function in pngerror.c in libpng 1.0.x before 1.0.55, 1.2.x before 1.2.45, 1.4.x before 1.4.8, and 1.5.x before 1.5.4 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) via a crafted PNG image that triggers an out-of-bounds read during the copying of error-message data. NOTE: this vulnerability exists because of a CVE-2004-0421 regression. NOTE: this is called an off-by-one error by some sources.

NVD Source

Technical Analysis

CVE-2011-2501 can be exploited remotely over the network without requiring physical or adjacent access, significantly expanding the attack surface for threat actors.

Exploitation does not require any privileges, though user interaction (Required) is needed, which slightly reduces the risk of mass automated attacks.

A successful exploit results in availability disruption (denial of service), with a CVSS base score of 6.5.

CVSS v3.1 Vector Breakdown

Exploitability
Attack VectorNetwork
Attack ComplexityLow
Privileges Req.None
User InteractionRequired
ScopeUnchanged
Impact
ConfidentialityNone
IntegrityNone
AvailabilityHigh
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

Affected Vendors & Products

Canonical1 product(s)
ubuntu linux
Debian1 product(s)
debian linux
Fedora1 product(s)
fedora
libpng1 product(s)
libpng
Source: NVD CPE · 8 total CPE entries

Exploit & PoC Resources

NO KNOWN EXPLOITNo public exploit confirmed at this time
Exploit-DB
Offensive Security exploit database
GitHub PoC Search
Community PoC repositories
Rapid7 / Metasploit
Metasploit module search
PacketStorm
Security advisories & exploits
NVD Detail
Official NIST entry
MITRE CVE
CVE Program entry
External links open in a new tab. Always verify in a controlled environment before use.

Official Patches & Advisories

PATCHhttp://slackware.com/security/viewer.php?l=slackware-security&y=2011&m=slackware-security.617466
PATCHhttp://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2011/06/27/13
PATCHhttp://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2011/06/28/16
PATCHhttps://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=717084
PATCHhttp://slackware.com/security/viewer.php?l=slackware-security&y=2011&m=slackware-security.617466
PATCHhttp://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2011/06/27/13
PATCHhttp://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2011/06/28/16
PATCHhttps://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=717084
ADVISORYhttp://lists.fedoraproject.org/pipermail/package-announce/2011-July/062720.html
ADVISORYhttp://lists.fedoraproject.org/pipermail/package-announce/2011-July/063118.html
ADVISORYhttp://security.gentoo.org/glsa/glsa-201206-15.xml
ADVISORYhttp://sourceforge.net/mailarchive/forum.php?thread_name=BANLkTikrnU6FJNQYFvwmt78hwpgKPVRd1Q%40mail.gmail.com&forum_name=png-mng-implement
ADVISORYhttp://www.debian.org/security/2011/dsa-2287
ADVISORYhttp://www.securityfocus.com/bid/48474
ADVISORYhttp://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-1175-1
ADVISORYhttps://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/68517
ADVISORYhttp://lists.fedoraproject.org/pipermail/package-announce/2011-July/062720.html
ADVISORYhttp://lists.fedoraproject.org/pipermail/package-announce/2011-July/063118.html
ADVISORYhttp://security.gentoo.org/glsa/glsa-201206-15.xml
ADVISORYhttp://sourceforge.net/mailarchive/forum.php?thread_name=BANLkTikrnU6FJNQYFvwmt78hwpgKPVRd1Q%40mail.gmail.com&forum_name=png-mng-implement
ADVISORYhttp://www.debian.org/security/2011/dsa-2287
ADVISORYhttp://www.securityfocus.com/bid/48474
ADVISORYhttp://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-1175-1
ADVISORYhttps://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/68517

All References (46)

→
http://libpng.git.sourceforge.net/git/gitweb.cgi?p=libpng/libpng%3Ba=commit%3Bh=65e6d5a34f49acdb362a0625a706c6b914e670af
→
http://lists.fedoraproject.org/pipermail/package-announce/2011-July/062720.htmlMailing List · Third Party Advisory
→
http://lists.fedoraproject.org/pipermail/package-announce/2011-July/063118.htmlMailing List · Third Party Advisory
→
http://secunia.com/advisories/45046Broken Link
→
http://secunia.com/advisories/45289Broken Link
→
http://secunia.com/advisories/45405Broken Link
→
http://secunia.com/advisories/45415Broken Link
→
http://secunia.com/advisories/45460Broken Link
→
http://secunia.com/advisories/45486Broken Link
→
http://secunia.com/advisories/45492Broken Link
→
http://secunia.com/advisories/49660Broken Link
→
http://security.gentoo.org/glsa/glsa-201206-15.xmlThird Party Advisory
→
http://slackware.com/security/viewer.php?l=slackware-security&y=2011&m=slackware-security.617466Mailing List · Patch · Third Party Advisory
→
http://sourceforge.net/mailarchive/forum.php?thread_name=BANLkTikrnU6FJNQYFvwmt78hwpgKPVRd1Q%40mail.gmail.com&forum_name=png-mng-implementExploit · Issue Tracking · Third Party Advisory
→
http://www.debian.org/security/2011/dsa-2287Third Party Advisory

Quick Facts

CVE IDCVE-2011-2501
CVSS Score6.5 / 10
SeverityMEDIUM
WeaknessCWE-125
CISA KEVNo
Affected4 vendor(s)
PublishedJul 17, 2011

Related CVEs (CWE-125)

CVE-2017-14451
10.0
CVE-2021-41556
10.0
CVE-2009-2523
10.0
CVE-2013-0767
10.0
CVE-2021-21777
10.0
CVE-2023-26489
9.9

Recommended Actions

  • →Apply vendor patches immediately
  • →Monitor CVE-2011-2501 in threat intel feeds
  • →Review IDS/IPS signatures for exploitation attempts
Data sourced from NVD (NIST), CISA KEV, and EPSS (FIRST). Analysis generated by CTIWATCH.COM. CVE data is provided under the NVD usage policy.
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