PatchTheCVECVE-2004-0421: The Portable Network Graphics library (libpng) 1.0.15 and earlier allows attackers to cause a denial of servic
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MEDIUM 5.0WATCHLISTDOWNGRADEDOWNGRADEDOWNGRADE
CVE-2004-0421 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.0) affecting libpng, openpkg, libpng. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.
The Portable Network Graphics library (libpng) 1.0.15 and earlier allows attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) via a malformed PNG image file that triggers an error that causes an out-of-bounds read when creating the error message.
Why this priority
- EPSS top 9%: very likely to be exploited
- On your watchlist
No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.
Risk facts
| CVSS score | 5.0 (Medium) |
| EPSS exploit chance | 4.1% (top 9%) |
| CISA exploited list | No |
| Weakness | CWE-125 |
| Published | 2004-08-18 |
| Last modified | 2026-06-16 |
Last updated 2026-06-16 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score
Am I affected?
Timeline
- Published CVE record published
- Updated Record last modified
libpng libpng DOWNGRADE
Affected: 1.0.0 · 1.0.5 · 1.0.6 · 1.0.7 · 1.0.8 · 1.0.9 · 1.0.10 · 1.0.11
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.0.0
1. Check installed version
apt-cache policy libpng || rpm -q libpng || libpng --version
2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.0.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)
apt-cache madison libpng
sudo apt install libpng=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.0.0>
sudo apt-mark hold libpng
2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)
dnf --showduplicates list libpng
sudo dnf downgrade libpng-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.0.0>
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.
openpkg openpkg DOWNGRADE
Affected: 1.3 · 2.0
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.3
1. Check installed version
apt-cache policy openpkg || rpm -q openpkg || openpkg --version
2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.3 (Debian / Ubuntu)
apt-cache madison openpkg
sudo apt install openpkg=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.3>
sudo apt-mark hold openpkg
2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)
dnf --showduplicates list openpkg
sudo dnf downgrade openpkg-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.3>
sudo dnf versionlock add openpkg
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.
redhat libpng DOWNGRADE
Affected: 1.2.2-16 · 1.2.2-20
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.2.2-16
1. Check installed version
apt-cache policy libpng || rpm -q libpng || libpng --version
2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.2.2-16 (Debian / Ubuntu)
apt-cache madison libpng
sudo apt install libpng=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.2.2-16>
sudo apt-mark hold libpng
2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)
dnf --showduplicates list libpng
sudo dnf downgrade libpng-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.2.2-16>
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.
redhat enterprise linux MITIGATE
Affected: 2.1 · 3.0
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.1
Check your OS release
cat /etc/os-release; uname -r
Debian / Ubuntu
sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade
RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora
sudo dnf upgrade --refresh
Windows
Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update
If no patch exists yet
OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.
redhat enterprise linux desktop MITIGATE
Affected: 3.0
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 3.0
Check your OS release
cat /etc/os-release; uname -r
Debian / Ubuntu
sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade
RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora
sudo dnf upgrade --refresh
Windows
Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update
If no patch exists yet
OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.
trustix secure linux MITIGATE
Affected: 2.0 · 2.1
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.0
Check your OS release
cat /etc/os-release; uname -r
Debian / Ubuntu
sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade
RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora
sudo dnf upgrade --refresh
Windows
Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update
If no patch exists yet
OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.
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.
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-2004-0421?
libpng: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; openpkg: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; libpng: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.
Is CVE-2004-0421 being exploited?
CVE-2004-0421 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-2004-0421 affect?
CVE-2004-0421 affects libpng, openpkg, libpng. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.0). The Portable Network Graphics library (libpng) 1.0.15 and earlier allows attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) via a malformed PNG image file that triggers an error that causes an out-of-bounds read when creating the error message.
How urgent is CVE-2004-0421?
Priority 45/100. EPSS top 9%: very likely to be exploited; On your watchlist
Software pages
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