CVE-2026-22801: LIBPNG is a reference library for use in applications that read, create, and manipulate PNG (Portable Network

Routine

MEDIUM 6.8UPGRADE

CVE-2026-22801 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 6.8) affecting libpng. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

LIBPNG is a reference library for use in applications that read, create, and manipulate PNG (Portable Network Graphics) raster image files. From 1.6.26 to 1.6.53, there is an integer truncation in the libpng simplified write API functions png_write_image_16bit and png_write_image_8bit causes heap buffer over-read when the caller provides a negative row stride (for bottom-up image layouts) or a stride exceeding 65535 bytes. The bug was introduced

Why this priority

No elevated risk signals yet

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	6.8 (Medium)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.1% (top 97%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-125, CWE-190
Published	2026-01-12
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): GitHub, Inc. · Vendor: libpng

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2026-01-12 23:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 10:20 UTCUpdated Record last modified

libpng libpng UPGRADE

Affected: >= 1.6.26 and < 1.6.54

Fixed in: 1.6.54

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.6.26

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to 1.6.54 (Debian / Ubuntu)

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

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade libpng

Note

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

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.6.26 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison libpng sudo apt install libpng=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.6.26> sudo apt-mark hold libpng

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list libpng sudo dnf downgrade libpng-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.6.26> sudo dnf versionlock add libpng

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-2026-22801?

libpng: upgrade to 1.6.54. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2026-22801 being exploited?

CVE-2026-22801 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-2026-22801 affect?

CVE-2026-22801 affects libpng. Severity is medium (CVSS 6.8). LIBPNG is a reference library for use in applications that read, create, and manipulate PNG (Portable Network Graphics) raster image files. From 1.6.26 to 1.6.53, there is an integer truncation in the libpng simplified write API functions p

How urgent is CVE-2026-22801?

Priority 25/100. No elevated risk signals yet.

Software pages

libpng vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2026-34757 MEDIUM 5.1 UPGRADE MITIGATE LIBPNG is a reference library for use in applications that read, create, and manipulate PNG (Portable Network
CVE-2026-25646 HIGH 8.1 UPGRADE LIBPNG is a reference library for use in applications that read, create, and manipulate PNG (Portable Network
CVE-2026-33636 HIGH 7.6 UPGRADE LIBPNG is a reference library for use in applications that read, create, and manipulate PNG (Portable Network
CVE-2026-33416 HIGH 7.5 UPGRADE LIBPNG is a reference library for use in applications that read, create, and manipulate PNG (Portable Network
CVE-2026-22695 MEDIUM 6.1 UPGRADE LIBPNG is a reference library for use in applications that read, create, and manipulate PNG (Portable Network

References

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