CVE-2004-0597
CriticalPublic exploitMultiple buffer overflows in libpng 1.2.5 and earlier, as used in multiple products, allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via malformed PNG images in which (1) the png_handle_tRNS function does not properly validate the length of transparency chunk (tRNS) data, or…
Published Aug 4, 2004 · Updated Mar 9, 2026 · Also known as DEBIAN-CVE-2004-0597, DEBIAN-CVE-2004-0598, DEBIAN-CVE-2004-0599, DEBIAN-CVE-2004-0768, DSA-536
Key Facts
Patch immediately- CVE-2004-0597 is a critical-severity vulnerability (CVSS 10.0 v2) affecting Libpng (Greg Roelofs), Msn Messenger (Microsoft), Windows Media Player (Microsoft) and 5 more products.
- It is not listed in any known-exploited vulnerabilities catalog. Public exploit code is available.
- EPSS estimates a 82% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- Fixed versions are available, including Libpng 1.2.5, Libpng 1.0.12-3.woody.7, Libpng 2:1.2.2-25.
- Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is very likely to be exploited soon.
CVSS v2
10.0
AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C
EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)
82%
Higher than 99.6% of all scored CVEs
Exploited in the wild
No known
Not in a known-exploited catalog
Public exploit code
Available
Proof-of-concept or weaponized module
Get the full CVE-2004-0597 brief as a PDF
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Description
Multiple buffer overflows in libpng 1.2.5 and earlier, as used in multiple products, allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via malformed PNG images in which (1) the png_handle_tRNS function does not properly validate the length of transparency chunk (tRNS) data, or the (2) png_handle_sBIT or (3) png_handle_hIST functions do not perform sufficient bounds checking.
Affected Products
11 affected entries in total| Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| LibpngGreg Roelofs | See advisory | 1.2.5 |
| Msn MessengerMicrosoft | 6.1, 6.2 | n/a |
| Windows Media PlayerMicrosoft | 9 | n/a |
| Windows MessengerMicrosoft | 5.0 | n/a |
| Windows 98seMicrosoft | See advisory | n/a |
Patched Releases
Libpng
1.2.5, 1.0.12-3.woody.7, 2:1.2.2-25
libpng10
0:1.0.13-15
libpng3
1.2.1-1.1.woody.7
Timeline
Publicly disclosed
Aug 4, 2004
Last updated
Mar 9, 2026
References
- advisoryRHSA-2004:402
- advisoryRHSA-2004:429
- advisoryVU#388984
- advisoryVU#817368
- advisoryRHSA-2004:421
FAQ
Common Questions.
Multiple buffer overflows in libpng 1.2.5 and earlier, as used in multiple products, allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via malformed PNG images in which (1) the png_handle_tRNS function does not properly validate the length of transparency chunk (tRNS) data, or the (2) png_handle_sBIT or (3) png_handle_…
Affected: Libpng (Greg Roelofs); Msn Messenger (Microsoft) versions 6.1, 6.2; Windows Media Player (Microsoft) versions 9, among others. The full list is in the CVE brief.
It is not listed in any known-exploited vulnerabilities catalog.
No, it is not currently listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.
Public exploit code is available.
Fixed versions are available, including Libpng 1.2.5, Libpng 1.0.12-3.woody.7, Libpng 2:1.2.2-25.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is very likely to be exploited soon.
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