CVE-2026-33018: libsixel: Use-After-Free in load_gif()

Published Apr 14, 2026
·
Updated

libsixel is a SIXEL encoder/decoder implementation derived from kmiya's sixel. Versions 1.8.7 and prior contain a Use-After-Free vulnerability via the loadgif() function in fromgif.c, where a single sixelframet object is reused across all frames of an animated GIF and gifinitframe() unconditionally frees and reallocates frame->pixels between frames without consulting the object's reference count. Because the public API explicitly provides sixelframeref() to retain a frame and sixelframegetpixels() to access the raw pixel buffer, a callback following this documented usage pattern will hold a dangling pointer after the second frame is decoded, resulting in a heap use-after-free confirmed by ASAN. Any application using sixelhelperloadimagefile() with a multi-frame callback to process user-supplied animated GIFs is affected, with a reliable crash as the minimum impact and potential for code execution. This issue has been fixed in version 1.8.7-r1.

Affected Software

2 affected components
Libsixel libsixel<=1.8.7
saitoha libsixel<1.8.7-r1

Remediation

Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.

  1. Upgrade

    Upgrade libsixel to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 1.8.7-r1

Event History

Apr 14, 2026
CVE Published
via MITRE·09:45 PM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·09:45 PM
DescriptionSeverityWeakness
Data Sourced
via NVD·10:16 PM
DescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software

Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the severity of CVE-2026-33018?

CVE-2026-33018 is classified as a medium severity vulnerability due to the potential for exploitation through a Use-After-Free condition.

2

How do I fix CVE-2026-33018?

To fix CVE-2026-33018, upgrade to libsixel version 1.8.8 or later, which addresses the Use-After-Free vulnerability.

3

What software versions are affected by CVE-2026-33018?

CVE-2026-33018 affects libsixel versions 1.8.7 and prior.

4

What type of vulnerability is CVE-2026-33018?

CVE-2026-33018 is a Use-After-Free vulnerability found in the load_gif() function of libsixel.

5

Who is the vendor for CVE-2026-33018?

The vendor for CVE-2026-33018 is Saitoha, which develops the libsixel software.

Contact

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