CVE-2026-44988: LibVNCClient Tight Gradient decoding allows malicious server-triggered heap/stack OOB writes
LibVNCClient is a library for easy implementation of a VNC client. In 0.9.15 and earlier, LibVNCClient's Tight encoding decoder uses fixed-size 2048-pixel scratch buffers for the Gradient filter, but it does not reject Tight rectangles whose width is larger than 2048 pixels. A malicious VNC server can send a crafted FramebufferUpdate rectangle using Tight encoding with NoZlib | ExplicitFilter and the Gradient filter. When a LibVNCClient-based client connects, the client processes the server-controlled rectangle width and writes beyond fixed-size Gradient buffers. This vulnerability is fixed with commit 5b270544b85233668b98161323297d418a8f5fd1.
Affected Software
Event History
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the severity of CVE-2026-44988?
The severity of CVE-2026-44988 is rated high with a score of 8.8.
How do I fix CVE-2026-44988?
To fix CVE-2026-44988, update LibVNCClient to version 0.9.16 or later.
What type of vulnerability is CVE-2026-44988?
CVE-2026-44988 is a heap/stack out-of-bounds write vulnerability in LibVNCClient.
Who is affected by CVE-2026-44988?
Users of LibVNCClient version 0.9.15 and earlier are affected by CVE-2026-44988.
Can CVE-2026-44988 be exploited remotely?
Yes, CVE-2026-44988 can be exploited remotely by a malicious VNC server.