CVE-2004-0768: libpng 1.2.5 and earlier does not properly calculate certain buffer offsets, which could allow remote attacker

This month

HIGH 7.5DOWNGRADE

CVE-2004-0768 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) affecting libpng3. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

libpng 1.2.5 and earlier does not properly calculate certain buffer offsets, which could allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a buffer overflow attack.

Why this priority

High severity

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.5 (High)
EPSS exploit chance	3.3% (top 12%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2004-10-20
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

2004-10-20 04:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:06 UTCUpdated Record last modified

greg roelofs libpng3 DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.2.0 · 1.2.1 · 1.2.2 · 1.2.3 · 1.2.4 · 1.2.5

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.2.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy libpng3 || rpm -q libpng3 || libpng3 --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.2.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison libpng3 sudo apt install libpng3=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.2.0> sudo apt-mark hold libpng3

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

dnf --showduplicates list libpng3 sudo dnf downgrade libpng3-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.2.0> sudo dnf versionlock add libpng3

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-2004-0768?

libpng3: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2004-0768 being exploited?

CVE-2004-0768 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-2004-0768 affect?

CVE-2004-0768 affects libpng3. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). libpng 1.2.5 and earlier does not properly calculate certain buffer offsets, which could allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a buffer overflow attack.

How urgent is CVE-2004-0768?

Priority 48/100. High severity

Software pages

libpng vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2002-0660 HIGH 7.5 DOWNGRADE DOWNGRADE Buffer overflow in libpng 1.0.12-3.woody.2 and libpng3 1.2.1-1.1.woody.2 on Debian GNU/Linux 3.0, and other op

References

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