CVE-2004-0990: Integer overflow in GD Graphics Library libgd 2.0.28 (libgd2), and possibly other versions, allows remote atta

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HIGH 10.0WATCHLISTDOWNGRADEDOWNGRADEMITIGATE

CVE-2004-0990 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 10.0) affecting gdlib, openpkg, linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Integer overflow in GD Graphics Library libgd 2.0.28 (libgd2), and possibly other versions, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service and possibly execute arbitrary code via PNG image files with large image rows values that lead to a heap-based buffer overflow in the gdImageCreateFromPngCtx function, a different set of vulnerabilities than CVE-2004-0941.

Why this priority

Critical severity
EPSS top 2%: very likely to be exploited
Public exploit reference
On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	10.0 (High)
EPSS exploit chance	28.3% (top 2%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2005-03-01
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: gd graphics library · gentoo · openpkg · suse · trustix

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2005-03-01 05:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:06 UTCUpdated Record last modified

gd graphics library gdlib DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.8.4 · 2.0.1 · 2.0.15 · 2.0.20 · 2.0.21 · 2.0.22 · 2.0.23 · 2.0.26

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.8.4

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.8.4 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison gdlib sudo apt install gdlib=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.8.4> sudo apt-mark hold gdlib

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

dnf --showduplicates list gdlib sudo dnf downgrade gdlib-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.8.4> sudo dnf versionlock add gdlib

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: 2.1 · 2.2 · current

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.1

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 2.1 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison openpkg sudo apt install openpkg=<VERSION_BEFORE_2.1> sudo apt-mark hold openpkg

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

dnf --showduplicates list openpkg sudo dnf downgrade openpkg-<VERSION_BEFORE_2.1> 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.

gentoo linux MITIGATE

Affected: all versions

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

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.

suse suse linux MITIGATE

Affected: 8.0 · 8.1 · 8.2 · 9.0 · 9.1 · 9.2

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 8.0

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: 1.5 · 2.0 · 2.1 · 2.2

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.5

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.

Exact fixes by distribution

A distro patch exists: prefer upgrading over downgrading.

Fedora ELN · fuse-sshfs · FIXED · 3.7.6-3.eln159 · FEDORA-2026-bcb7be7c5c · source

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-bcb7be7c5c

Fedora 46 · python-odata-query · FIXED · 0.10.1-1.fc46 · FEDORA-2026-eab44dc513 · source

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-eab44dc513

Debian 12 · libgd2 · FIXED · 2.0.30-1

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade libgd2 dpkg --compare-versions "$(dpkg-query -W -f='${Version}' libgd2)" ge "2.0.30-1" && echo PATCHED || echo STILL-VULNERABLE

Debian 13 · libgd2 · FIXED · 2.0.30-1

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade libgd2 dpkg --compare-versions "$(dpkg-query -W -f='${Version}' libgd2)" ge "2.0.30-1" && echo PATCHED || echo STILL-VULNERABLE

RHEL 3 · gd · FIXED · gd-1.8.4-12.3.1

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=RHSA-2004:638 rpm -q gd

Public exploits and detection

Public code exists for this CVE. Treat unpatched systems as at risk, and only run PoCs in a lab.

Write-up: oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A9952
Exploit-DB: GD Graphics Library - Local Heap Overflow

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-2004-0990?

gdlib: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; openpkg: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2004-0990 being exploited?

CVE-2004-0990 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-2004-0990 affect?

CVE-2004-0990 affects gdlib, openpkg, linux. Severity is high (CVSS 10.0). Integer overflow in GD Graphics Library libgd 2.0.28 (libgd2), and possibly other versions, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service and possibly execute arbitrary code via PNG image files with large image rows values that lead

How urgent is CVE-2004-0990?

Priority 70/100. Critical severity; EPSS top 2%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference; On your watchlist

Related CVEs

CVE-2007-3478 MEDIUM 4.3 UPGRADE Race condition in gdImageStringFTEx (gdft_draw_bitmap) in gdft.c in the GD Graphics Library (libgd) before 2.0
CVE-2007-3476 MEDIUM 4.3 UPGRADE Array index error in gd_gif_in.c in the GD Graphics Library (libgd) before 2.0.35 allows user-assisted remote
CVE-2007-3475 MEDIUM 4.3 UPGRADE The GD Graphics Library (libgd) before 2.0.35 allows user-assisted remote attackers to cause a denial of servi
CVE-2004-0941 HIGH 10.0 DOWNGRADE MITIGATE Multiple buffer overflows in the gd graphics library (libgd) 2.0.21 and earlier may allow remote attackers to

References

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