CVE-2026-40494: SAIL has heap buffer overflow in TGA RLE decoder — raw packet path missing bounds check
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 up to 496 bytes of attacker-controlled data past the end of a heap buffer. Commit 45d48d1f2e8e0d73e80bc1fd5310cb57f4547302 patches the issue.
Affected Software
Event History
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the severity of CVE-2026-40494?
CVE-2026-40494 has been classified with a high severity due to a heap buffer overflow vulnerability.
How do I fix CVE-2026-40494?
To mitigate CVE-2026-40494, update SAIL to a version beyond commit 45d48d1f2e8e0d73e80bc1fd5310cb57f4547302.
What types of exploits are possible with CVE-2026-40494?
CVE-2026-40494 may lead to remote code execution or denial of service if exploited.
Which software versions are affected by CVE-2026-40494?
Software versions of SAIL prior to commit 45d48d1f2e8e0d73e80bc1fd5310cb57f4547302 are affected by CVE-2026-40494.
What components of SAIL are impacted by CVE-2026-40494?
CVE-2026-40494 impacts the TGA codec's RLE decoder in the SAIL library.