CVE-2019-6978: The GD Graphics Library (aka LibGD) 2.2.5 has a double free in the gdImage*Ptr() functions in gd_gif_out.c, gd

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CRITICAL 9.8REMOTEWATCHLISTDOWNGRADEMITIGATEMITIGATE

CVE-2019-6978 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) affecting libgd, debian linux, ubuntu linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

The GD Graphics Library (aka LibGD) 2.2.5 has a double free in the gdImage*Ptr() functions in gd_gif_out.c, gd_jpeg.c, and gd_wbmp.c. NOTE: PHP is unaffected.

Why this priority

Critical severity
EPSS top 9%: very likely to be exploited
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action
On your watchlist

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	9.8 (Critical)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	4.5% (top 9%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-415
Published	2019-01-28
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: canonical · debian · libgd

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2019-01-28 08:29 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 02:39 UTCUpdated Record last modified

libgd libgd DOWNGRADE

Affected: 2.2.5

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.2.5

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 2.2.5 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison libgd sudo apt install libgd=<VERSION_BEFORE_2.2.5> sudo apt-mark hold libgd

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

dnf --showduplicates list libgd sudo dnf downgrade libgd-<VERSION_BEFORE_2.2.5> sudo dnf versionlock add libgd

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: 8.0 · 9.0

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.

canonical ubuntu linux MITIGATE

Affected: 14.04 · 16.04 · 18.04 · 18.10

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 14.04

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.

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-2019-6978?

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

Is CVE-2019-6978 being exploited?

CVE-2019-6978 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-2019-6978 affect?

CVE-2019-6978 affects libgd, debian linux, ubuntu linux. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). The GD Graphics Library (aka LibGD) 2.2.5 has a double free in the gdImage*Ptr() functions in gd_gif_out.c, gd_jpeg.c, and gd_wbmp.c. NOTE: PHP is unaffected.

How urgent is CVE-2019-6978?

Priority 67/100. Critical severity; EPSS top 9%: very likely to be exploited; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action; On your watchlist

Software pages

PHP vulnerabilities · Ubuntu vulnerabilities · Debian vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

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CVE-2021-38115 MEDIUM 6.5 UPGRADE read_header_tga in gd_tga.c in the GD Graphics Library (aka LibGD) through 2.3.2 allows remote attackers to ca
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CVE-2019-11038 MEDIUM 5.3 DOWNGRADE UPGRADE When using the gdImageCreateFromXbm() function in the GD Graphics Library (aka LibGD) 2.2.5, as used in the PH

References

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