CVE-2018-8975: The pm_mallocarray2 function in lib/util/mallocvar.c in Netpbm through 10.81.03 allows remote attackers to cau

Q: How do I fix CVE-2018-8975?

netpbm: upgrade to newer than 10.81.03. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2018-8975 being exploited?

CVE-2018-8975 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-2018-8975 affect?

CVE-2018-8975 affects netpbm. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.5). The pm_mallocarray2 function in lib/util/mallocvar.c in Netpbm through 10.81.03 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (heap-based buffer over-read) via a crafted image file, as demonstrated by pbmmask.

Q: How urgent is CVE-2018-8975?

Priority 43/100. Public exploit reference

This month

MEDIUM 5.5UPGRADE

CVE-2018-8975 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.5) affecting netpbm. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

The pm_mallocarray2 function in lib/util/mallocvar.c in Netpbm through 10.81.03 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (heap-based buffer over-read) via a crafted image file, as demonstrated by pbmmask.

Why this priority

Public exploit reference

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.5 (Medium)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	Required
EPSS exploit chance	1.7% (top 23%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-125
Published	2018-03-25
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: netpbm project

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2018-03-25 03:29 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 02:05 UTCUpdated Record last modified

netpbm project netpbm UPGRADE

Affected: <= 10.81.03

Fixed in: newer than 10.81.03

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to newer than 10.81.03 (Debian / Ubuntu)

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

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade netpbm

Note

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

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-2018-8975?

netpbm: upgrade to newer than 10.81.03. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2018-8975 being exploited?

CVE-2018-8975 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-2018-8975 affect?

CVE-2018-8975 affects netpbm. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.5). The pm_mallocarray2 function in lib/util/mallocvar.c in Netpbm through 10.81.03 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (heap-based buffer over-read) via a crafted image file, as demonstrated by pbmmask.

How urgent is CVE-2018-8975?

Priority 43/100. Public exploit reference

Related CVEs

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CVE-2017-2587 LOW 3.3 UPGRADE A memory allocation vulnerability was found in netpbm before 10.61
CVE-2017-2586 LOW 3.3 UPGRADE A null pointer dereference vulnerability was found in netpbm before 10.61
CVE-2017-2581 MEDIUM 4.5 UPGRADE An out-of-bounds write vulnerability was found in netpbm before 10.61
CVE-2017-2580 MEDIUM 4.5 DOWNGRADE An out-of-bounds write vulnerability was found in netpbm before 10.61

References

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