PatchTheCVECVE-2026-40494: SAIL is a cross-platform library for loading and saving images with support for animation, metadata, and ICC p
CVE-2026-40494 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) affecting affected software. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.
SAIL is a cross-platform library for loading and saving images with support for animation, metadata, and ICC profiles. Prior to commit 45d48d1f2e8e0d73e80bc1fd5310cb57f4547302, the TGA codec's RLE decoder in `tga.c` has an asymmetric bounds check vulnerability. The run-packet path (line 297) correctly clamps the repeat count to the remaining buffer space, but the raw-packet path (line 305-311) has no equivalent bounds check. This allows writing u
Why this priority
- Critical severity
- CISA SSVC: public proof of concept
- CISA SSVC: automatable with total technical impact
- Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action
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 | 0.3% (top 74%) |
| CISA exploited list | No |
| Weakness | CWE-787 |
| Published | 2026-04-18 |
| Last modified | 2026-10-25 |
Last updated 2026-10-25 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score
Timeline
- Published CVE record published
- Updated Record last modified
Exact fixes by distribution
Public exploits and detection
Public code exists for this CVE. Treat unpatched systems as at risk, and only run PoCs in a lab.
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-2026-40494?
No fixed release is listed yet. Watch the vendor advisory and apply any mitigation shown on this page.
Is CVE-2026-40494 being exploited?
CVE-2026-40494 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-2026-40494 affect?
CVE-2026-40494 affects affected software. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). SAIL is a cross-platform library for loading and saving images with support for animation, metadata, and ICC profiles. Prior to commit 45d48d1f2e8e0d73e80bc1fd5310cb57f4547302, the TGA codec's RLE decoder in `tga.c` has an asymmetric bounds
How urgent is CVE-2026-40494?
Priority 52/100. Critical severity; CISA SSVC: public proof of concept; CISA SSVC: automatable with total technical impact; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action