CVE-2018-12109: An issue was discovered in Free Lossless Image Format (FLIF) 0.3

This month

HIGH 7.8DOWNGRADE

CVE-2018-12109 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.8) affecting flif. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

An issue was discovered in Free Lossless Image Format (FLIF) 0.3. The TransformPaletteC<FileIO>::process function in transform/palette_C.hpp allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (heap-based buffer overflow and application crash) or possibly have unspecified other impact via a crafted PAM image file.

Why this priority

High severity
Public exploit reference

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.8 (High)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	Required
EPSS exploit chance	1.3% (top 29%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-787
Published	2018-06-11
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: flif

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2018-06-11 13:29 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 01:37 UTCUpdated Record last modified

flif flif DOWNGRADE

Affected: 0.3

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 0.3

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 0.3 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison flif sudo apt install flif=<VERSION_BEFORE_0.3> sudo apt-mark hold flif

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

dnf --showduplicates list flif sudo dnf downgrade flif-<VERSION_BEFORE_0.3> sudo dnf versionlock add flif

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-2018-12109?

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

Is CVE-2018-12109 being exploited?

CVE-2018-12109 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-2018-12109 affect?

CVE-2018-12109 affects flif. Severity is high (CVSS 7.8). An issue was discovered in Free Lossless Image Format (FLIF) 0.3. The TransformPaletteC<FileIO>::process function in transform/palette_C.hpp allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (heap-based buffer overflow and application cr

How urgent is CVE-2018-12109?

Priority 50/100. High severity; Public exploit reference

Related CVEs

CVE-2019-14373 HIGH 7.8 DOWNGRADE An issue was discovered in image_save_png in image/image-png.cpp in Free Lossless Image Format (FLIF) 0.3
CVE-2018-14876 MEDIUM 5.5 DOWNGRADE An issue was discovered in image_save_png in image/image-png.cpp in Free Lossless Image Format (FLIF) 0.3
CVE-2018-11507 MEDIUM 6.5 DOWNGRADE An issue was discovered in Free Lossless Image Format (FLIF) 0.3
CVE-2018-10971 MEDIUM 5.5 DOWNGRADE An issue was discovered in Free Lossless Image Format (FLIF) 0.3
CVE-2017-14232 MEDIUM 5.5 DOWNGRADE UPGRADE The read_chunk function in flif-dec.cpp in Free Lossless Image Format (FLIF) 0.3 allows remote attackers to ca

References

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