CVE-2004-0994: Multiple integer overflows in xzgv 0.8 and earlier allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via images

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HIGH 10.0WATCHLISTDOWNGRADEDOWNGRADEMITIGATE

CVE-2004-0994 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 10.0) affecting xzgv image viewer, zgv image viewer, debian linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Multiple integer overflows in xzgv 0.8 and earlier allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via images with large width and height values, which trigger a heap-based buffer overflow, as demonstrated in the read_prf_file function in readprf.c. NOTE: CVE-2004-0994 and CVE-2004-1095 identify sets of bugs that only partially overlap, despite having the same developer. Therefore, they should be regarded as distinct.

Why this priority

Critical severity
EPSS top 8%: very likely to be exploited
On your watchlist

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	10.0 (High)
EPSS exploit chance	5.1% (top 8%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2005-01-10
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: debian · zgv

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2005-01-10 05:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:06 UTCUpdated Record last modified

zgv xzgv image viewer DOWNGRADE

Affected: 0.6 · 0.7 · 0.8

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 0.6

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy xzgv-image-viewer || rpm -q xzgv-image-viewer || xzgv-image-viewer --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 0.6 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison xzgv-image-viewer sudo apt install xzgv-image-viewer=<VERSION_BEFORE_0.6> sudo apt-mark hold xzgv-image-viewer

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

dnf --showduplicates list xzgv-image-viewer sudo dnf downgrade xzgv-image-viewer-<VERSION_BEFORE_0.6> sudo dnf versionlock add xzgv-image-viewer

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.

zgv zgv image viewer DOWNGRADE

Affected: 5.5 · 5.6 · 5.7 · 5.8

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 5.5

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy zgv-image-viewer || rpm -q zgv-image-viewer || zgv-image-viewer --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 5.5 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison zgv-image-viewer sudo apt install zgv-image-viewer=<VERSION_BEFORE_5.5> sudo apt-mark hold zgv-image-viewer

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

dnf --showduplicates list zgv-image-viewer sudo dnf downgrade zgv-image-viewer-<VERSION_BEFORE_5.5> sudo dnf versionlock add zgv-image-viewer

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.

debian debian linux 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.

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-2004-0994?

xzgv image viewer: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; zgv image viewer: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2004-0994 being exploited?

CVE-2004-0994 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-2004-0994 affect?

CVE-2004-0994 affects xzgv image viewer, zgv image viewer, debian linux. Severity is high (CVSS 10.0). Multiple integer overflows in xzgv 0.8 and earlier allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via images with large width and height values, which trigger a heap-based buffer overflow, as demonstrated in the read_prf_file function in

How urgent is CVE-2004-0994?

Priority 63/100. Critical severity; EPSS top 8%: very likely to be exploited; On your watchlist

Software pages

Debian vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2004-1095 HIGH 10.0 DOWNGRADE DOWNGRADE Multiple integer overflows in (1) readbmp.c, (2) readgif.c, (3) readgif.c, (4) readmrf.c, (5) readpcx.c, (6) r

References

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