CVE-2026-49271: libheif is a HEIF and AVIF file format decoder and encoder

Q: How do I fix CVE-2026-49271?

libheif: upgrade to 1.22.1. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2026-49271 being exploited?

CVE-2026-49271 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-2026-49271 affect?

CVE-2026-49271 affects libheif. Severity is medium (CVSS 6.5). libheif is a HEIF and AVIF file format decoder and encoder. Prior to version 1.22.1, the uncompressed HEIF decoder validates explicit icef compressed-unit offsets using unit_offset + unit_size. Because the addition can wrap, a crafted HEIF

Q: How urgent is CVE-2026-49271?

Priority 30/100. No elevated risk signals yet.

Routine

MEDIUM 6.5UPGRADE

CVE-2026-49271 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 6.5) affecting libheif. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

libheif is a HEIF and AVIF file format decoder and encoder. Prior to version 1.22.1, the uncompressed HEIF decoder validates explicit icef compressed-unit offsets using unit_offset + unit_size. Because the addition can wrap, a crafted HEIF file can pass the range check and then construct a vector from iterators outside the compressed item buffer, producing an out-of-bounds heap read and crash. Version 1.22.1 patches the issue.

Why this priority

No elevated risk signals yet

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	6.5 (Medium)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	Required
EPSS exploit chance	0.4% (top 71%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-125
Published	2026-06-19
Last modified	2026-10-25

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

Last updated 2026-10-25 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2026-06-19 18:16 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-10-25 23:10 UTCUpdated Record last modified

struktur libheif UPGRADE

Affected: < 1.22.1

Fixed in: 1.22.1

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to 1.22.1 (Debian / Ubuntu)

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

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade libheif

Note

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

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-2026-49271?

libheif: upgrade to 1.22.1. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2026-49271 being exploited?

CVE-2026-49271 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-2026-49271 affect?

CVE-2026-49271 affects libheif. Severity is medium (CVSS 6.5). libheif is a HEIF and AVIF file format decoder and encoder. Prior to version 1.22.1, the uncompressed HEIF decoder validates explicit icef compressed-unit offsets using unit_offset + unit_size. Because the addition can wrap, a crafted HEIF

How urgent is CVE-2026-49271?

Priority 30/100. No elevated risk signals yet.

Related CVEs

CVE-2026-47247 HIGH 7.5 UPGRADE libheif is a HEIF and AVIF file format decoder and encoder
CVE-2026-47178 MEDIUM 6.1 UPGRADE libheif is a HEIF and AVIF file format decoder and encoder
CVE-2026-47251 MEDIUM 6.1 UPGRADE libheif is a HEIF and AVIF file format decoder and encoder
CVE-2026-47254 MEDIUM 6.1 UPGRADE libheif is a HEIF and AVIF file format decoder and encoder
CVE-2026-47709 MEDIUM 5.5 UPGRADE libheif is a HEIF and AVIF file format decoder and encoder

References

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