PatchTheCVECVE-2020-17541: Libjpeg-turbo all version have a stack-based buffer overflow in the "transform" component
CVE-2020-17541 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 8.8) affecting libjpeg-turbo. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.
Libjpeg-turbo all version have a stack-based buffer overflow in the "transform" component. A remote attacker can send a malformed jpeg file to the service and cause arbitrary code execution or denial of service of the target service.
Why this priority
- High severity
- Public exploit reference
A fixed release or distro patch exists.
Risk facts
| CVSS score | 8.8 (High) |
| Attack vector | Network (remote) |
| Attack complexity | Low |
| Privileges needed | None |
| User interaction | Required |
| EPSS exploit chance | 2.7% (top 14%) |
| CISA exploited list | No |
| Weakness | CWE-787 |
| Published | 2021-06-01 |
| Last modified | 2026-06-17 |
Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score
Am I affected?
Timeline
- Published CVE record published
- Updated Record last modified
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-2020-17541?
libjpeg-turbo: upgrade to 2.0.4. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.
Is CVE-2020-17541 being exploited?
CVE-2020-17541 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-2020-17541 affect?
CVE-2020-17541 affects libjpeg-turbo. Severity is high (CVSS 8.8). Libjpeg-turbo all version have a stack-based buffer overflow in the "transform" component. A remote attacker can send a malformed jpeg file to the service and cause arbitrary code execution or denial of service of the target service.
How urgent is CVE-2020-17541?
Priority 57/100. High severity; Public exploit reference
Related CVEs
- CVE-2023-2804 MEDIUM 6.5 DOWNGRADE A heap-based buffer overflow issue was discovered in libjpeg-turbo in h2v2_merged_upsample_internal() function
- CVE-2021-46822 MEDIUM 5.5 UPGRADE The PPM reader in libjpeg-turbo through 2.0.90 mishandles use of tjLoadImage for loading a 16-bit binary PPM f
- CVE-2021-29390 HIGH 7.1 DOWNGRADE MITIGATE libjpeg-turbo version 2.0.90 has a heap-based buffer over-read (2 bytes) in decompress_smooth_data in jdcoefct
- CVE-2021-20205 MEDIUM 6.5 DOWNGRADE MITIGATE Libjpeg-turbo versions 2.0.91 and 2.0.90 is vulnerable to a denial of service vulnerability caused by a divide
- CVE-2020-35538 MEDIUM 5.5 DOWNGRADE A crafted input file could cause a null pointer dereference in jcopy_sample_rows() when processed by libjpeg-t