CVE-2020-12268: jbig2_image_compose in jbig2_image.c in Artifex jbig2dec before 0.18 has a heap-based buffer overflow.

Q: How do I fix CVE-2020-12268?

jbig2dec: upgrade to 0.18; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; leap: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2020-12268 being exploited?

CVE-2020-12268 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-2020-12268 affect?

CVE-2020-12268 affects jbig2dec, debian linux, leap. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). jbig2_image_compose in jbig2_image.c in Artifex jbig2dec before 0.18 has a heap-based buffer overflow.

Q: How urgent is CVE-2020-12268?

Priority 71/100. Critical severity; Public exploit reference; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action; On your watchlist

This week

CRITICAL 9.8REMOTEWATCHLISTUPGRADEMITIGATEMITIGATE

CVE-2020-12268 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) affecting jbig2dec, debian linux, leap. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

jbig2_image_compose in jbig2_image.c in Artifex jbig2dec before 0.18 has a heap-based buffer overflow.

Why this priority

Critical severity
Public exploit reference
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action
On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	9.8 (Critical)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	2.7% (top 14%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-787
Published	2020-04-27
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: artifex · debian · opensuse

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2020-04-27 02:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 02:51 UTCUpdated Record last modified

artifex jbig2dec UPGRADE

Affected: < 0.18

Fixed in: 0.18

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy jbig2dec || rpm -q jbig2dec || jbig2dec --version

2. UPGRADE to 0.18 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade jbig2dec

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade jbig2dec

Note

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

debian debian linux MITIGATE

Affected: 9.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 9.0

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.

opensuse leap MITIGATE

Affected: 15.1

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 15.1

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.

Exact fixes by distribution

A distro patch exists: prefer upgrading over downgrading.

Fedora ELN · python-discovery · FIXED · 1.9.0-1.eln159 · FEDORA-2026-7a881c0c99 · source

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-7a881c0c99

Fedora 46 · pipx · FIXED · 1.18.11-1.fc46 · FEDORA-2026-443a765287 · source

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-443a765287

Ubuntu 20.04 · jbig2dec · NOT AFFECTED

Ubuntu 22.04 · jbig2dec · NOT AFFECTED

Ubuntu 24.04 · jbig2dec · NOT AFFECTED

Ubuntu 24.10 · jbig2dec · NOT AFFECTED

Ubuntu 25.04 · jbig2dec · NOT AFFECTED

Debian 12 · jbig2dec · FIXED · 0.18-1

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade jbig2dec dpkg --compare-versions "$(dpkg-query -W -f='${Version}' jbig2dec)" ge "0.18-1" && echo PATCHED || echo STILL-VULNERABLE

Debian 13 · jbig2dec · FIXED · 0.18-1

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade jbig2dec dpkg --compare-versions "$(dpkg-query -W -f='${Version}' jbig2dec)" ge "0.18-1" && echo PATCHED || echo STILL-VULNERABLE

RHEL 8 · jbig2dec · FIXED · jbig2dec-0.14-4.el8_2

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=RHSA-2020:2897 rpm -q jbig2dec

RHEL 8.0 Update Services for SAP Solutions · jbig2dec · FIXED · jbig2dec-0.14-4.el8_0

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=RHSA-2020:3043 rpm -q jbig2dec

RHEL 8.1 Extended Update Support · jbig2dec · FIXED · jbig2dec-0.14-4.el8_1

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=RHSA-2020:2971 rpm -q jbig2dec

Alpine 3.20 · jbig2dec · FIXED · jbig2dec-0.18-r0

apk add --upgrade jbig2dec apk info -v jbig2dec

Alpine 3.21 · jbig2dec · FIXED · jbig2dec-0.18-r0

apk add --upgrade jbig2dec apk info -v jbig2dec

Alpine 3.22 · jbig2dec · FIXED · jbig2dec-0.18-r0

apk add --upgrade jbig2dec apk info -v jbig2dec

Alpine 3.23 · jbig2dec · FIXED · jbig2dec-0.18-r0

apk add --upgrade jbig2dec apk info -v jbig2dec

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-2020-12268?

jbig2dec: upgrade to 0.18; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; leap: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2020-12268 being exploited?

CVE-2020-12268 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-2020-12268 affect?

CVE-2020-12268 affects jbig2dec, debian linux, leap. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). jbig2_image_compose in jbig2_image.c in Artifex jbig2dec before 0.18 has a heap-based buffer overflow.

How urgent is CVE-2020-12268?

Priority 71/100. Critical severity; Public exploit reference; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action; On your watchlist

Software pages

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References

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