CVE-2016-3981: Heap-based buffer overflow in the bmp_read_rows function in pngxrbmp.c in OptiPNG before 0.7.6 allows remote a

Q: How do I fix CVE-2016-3981?

optipng: upgrade to newer than 0.7.5; ubuntu linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2016-3981 being exploited?

CVE-2016-3981 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2016-3981 affect?

CVE-2016-3981 affects optipng, ubuntu linux, debian linux. Severity is high (CVSS 7.8). Heap-based buffer overflow in the bmp_read_rows function in pngxrbmp.c in OptiPNG before 0.7.6 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (out-of-bounds read or write access and crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code via a craf

Q: How urgent is CVE-2016-3981?

Priority 60/100. High severity; EPSS top 9%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference; On your watchlist

This week

HIGH 7.8WATCHLISTUPGRADEMITIGATEMITIGATE

CVE-2016-3981 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.8) affecting optipng, ubuntu linux, debian linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Heap-based buffer overflow in the bmp_read_rows function in pngxrbmp.c in OptiPNG before 0.7.6 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (out-of-bounds read or write access and crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code via a crafted image file.

Why this priority

High severity
EPSS top 9%: very likely to be exploited
Public exploit reference
On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.8 (High)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	Required
EPSS exploit chance	4.4% (top 9%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-119
Published	2016-04-13
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: canonical · debian · optipng project

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2016-04-13 16:59 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 00:46 UTCUpdated Record last modified

optipng project optipng UPGRADE

Affected: <= 0.7.5

Fixed in: newer than 0.7.5

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to newer than 0.7.5 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade optipng

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade optipng

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

canonical ubuntu linux MITIGATE

Affected: 12.04 · 14.04 · 15.10

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 12.04

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.

debian debian linux MITIGATE

Affected: 7.0 · 8.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 7.0

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-2016-3981?

optipng: upgrade to newer than 0.7.5; ubuntu linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2016-3981 being exploited?

CVE-2016-3981 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-2016-3981 affect?

CVE-2016-3981 affects optipng, ubuntu linux, debian linux. Severity is high (CVSS 7.8). Heap-based buffer overflow in the bmp_read_rows function in pngxrbmp.c in OptiPNG before 0.7.6 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (out-of-bounds read or write access and crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code via a craf

How urgent is CVE-2016-3981?

Priority 60/100. High severity; EPSS top 9%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference; On your watchlist

Software pages

Ubuntu vulnerabilities · Debian vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2023-43907 HIGH 7.8 DOWNGRADE OptiPNG v0.7.7 was discovered to contain a global buffer overflow via the 'buffer' variable at gifread.c.
CVE-2017-16938 HIGH 7.8 DOWNGRADE A global buffer overflow in OptiPNG 0.7.6 allows remote attackers to cause a denial-of-service attack or other
CVE-2017-1000229 HIGH 7.8 DOWNGRADE MITIGATE Integer overflow bug in function minitiff_read_info() of optipng 0.7.6 allows an attacker to remotely execute
CVE-2016-3982 HIGH 8.8 MITIGATE MITIGATE Off-by-one error in the bmp_rle4_fread function in pngxrbmp.c in OptiPNG before 0.7.6 allows remote attackers
CVE-2016-2191 MEDIUM 6.5 DOWNGRADE MITIGATE The bmp_read_rows function in pngxtern/pngxrbmp.c in OptiPNG before 0.7.6 allows remote attackers to cause a d

References

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