CVE-2002-1363: Portable Network Graphics (PNG) library libpng 1.2.5 and earlier does not correctly calculate offsets, which a

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HIGH 7.5DOWNGRADE

CVE-2002-1363 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) affecting libpng. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Portable Network Graphics (PNG) library libpng 1.2.5 and earlier does not correctly calculate offsets, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via a buffer overflow attack on the row buffers.

Why this priority

High severity
EPSS top 7%: very likely to be exploited

No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.5 (High)
EPSS exploit chance	6.1% (top 7%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2002-12-26
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: greg roelofs

Last updated 2026-06-16 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2002-12-26 05:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 21:59 UTCUpdated Record last modified

greg roelofs libpng DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.0.5 · 1.0.6 · 1.0.7 · 1.0.8 · 1.0.9 · 1.0.11 · 1.0.12 · 1.0.13

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.0.5

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy libpng || rpm -q libpng || libpng --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.0.5 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison libpng sudo apt install libpng=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.0.5> sudo apt-mark hold libpng

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list libpng sudo dnf downgrade libpng-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.0.5> sudo dnf versionlock add libpng

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2002-1363?

libpng: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2002-1363 being exploited?

CVE-2002-1363 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2002-1363 affect?

CVE-2002-1363 affects libpng. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). Portable Network Graphics (PNG) library libpng 1.2.5 and earlier does not correctly calculate offsets, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via a buffer overflow attack on th

How urgent is CVE-2002-1363?

Priority 50/100. High severity; EPSS top 7%: very likely to be exploited

Software pages

libpng vulnerabilities

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References

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