CVE-2020-35538: A crafted input file could cause a null pointer dereference in jcopy_sample_rows() when processed by libjpeg-t

Routine

MEDIUM 5.5DOWNGRADE

CVE-2020-35538 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.5) affecting libjpeg-turbo. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

A crafted input file could cause a null pointer dereference in jcopy_sample_rows() when processed by libjpeg-turbo.

Why this priority

No elevated risk signals yet

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.5 (Medium)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	Required
EPSS exploit chance	0.3% (top 79%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-476
Published	2022-08-31
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): Red Hat, Inc. · Vendor: libjpeg-turbo

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2022-08-31 16:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 03:13 UTCUpdated Record last modified

libjpeg-turbo libjpeg-turbo DOWNGRADE

Affected: 2.0.5

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.0.5

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy libjpeg-turbo || rpm -q libjpeg-turbo || libjpeg-turbo --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 2.0.5 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison libjpeg-turbo sudo apt install libjpeg-turbo=<VERSION_BEFORE_2.0.5> sudo apt-mark hold libjpeg-turbo

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

dnf --showduplicates list libjpeg-turbo sudo dnf downgrade libjpeg-turbo-<VERSION_BEFORE_2.0.5> sudo dnf versionlock add libjpeg-turbo

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-2020-35538?

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

Is CVE-2020-35538 being exploited?

CVE-2020-35538 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-2020-35538 affect?

CVE-2020-35538 affects libjpeg-turbo. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.5). A crafted input file could cause a null pointer dereference in jcopy_sample_rows() when processed by libjpeg-turbo.

How urgent is CVE-2020-35538?

Priority 25/100. No elevated risk signals yet.

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

References

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