CVE-2026-33021: libsixel: Use-after-free in sixel_encoder_encode_bytes()

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 in sixelencoderencodebytes() because sixelframeinit() stores the caller-owned pixel buffer pointer directly in frame->pixels without making a defensive copy. When a resize operation is triggered, sixelframeconverttorgb888() unconditionally frees this caller-owned buffer and replaces it with a new internal allocation, leaving the caller with a dangling pointer. Any subsequent access to the original buffer by the caller constitutes a use-after-free, confirmed by AddressSanitizer. An attacker who controls incoming frames can trigger this bug repeatedly and predictably, resulting in a reliable crash with 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·09:57 PM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·09:57 PM
DescriptionSeverityWeakness
Data Sourced
via NVD·11:16 PM
DescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software

Frequently Asked Questions

1

Is CVE-2026-33021 publicly known?

Yes, CVE-2026-33021 has been publicly disclosed and documented in security advisories.

Contact

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