# CVE-2017-12599: Out-of-bounds Read in OpenCV

> An out-of-bounds read in OpenCV allows attackers to cause denial of service or disclose information via a crafted image file.

- **Severity:** High 8.8 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** A user has to click or open something
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 7 Aug 2017
- **Updated:** 5 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** DEBIAN-CVE-2017-12599, GHSA-fvq6-392h-6mjj, PYSEC-2026-2820, PYSEC-2026-710, UBUNTU-CVE-2017-12599

## What is CVE-2017-12599?

CVE-2017-12599 is a high-severity memory corruption vulnerability in Debian Debian Linux, published on 7 Aug 2017. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.

### Official description

OpenCV (Open Source Computer Vision Library) through 3.3 has an out-of-bounds read error in the function icvCvt_BGRA2BGR_8u_C4C3R when reading an image file by using cv::imread.

Weakness: CWE-125 (Out-of-bounds Read)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2017-12599?

6 open source packages ship an affected version, including opencv-contrib-python and opencv-python. It affects 2 products.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `opencv-contrib-python` | PyPI | All versions | 3.3.1.11 |
| `opencv-contrib-python` | PyPI | All versions | 3.3.1.11 |
| `opencv-contrib-python` | PyPI | All versions | 3.3.1.11 |
| `opencv-python` | PyPI | All versions | 3.3.1.11 |
| `opencv-python` | PyPI | All versions | 3.3.1.11 |
| `opencv-python` | PyPI | All versions | 3.3.1.11 |

Products: Debian Debian Linux, Opencv Opencv.

## How do I fix CVE-2017-12599?

Upgrade opencv-contrib-python to 3.3.1.11 or later.

## Is CVE-2017-12599 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2017-12599 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in Debian Debian Linux

- [CVE-2015-3306](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2015-3306/): ProFTPD Improper Access Control (critical 10.0, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2025-49113](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2025-49113/): RoundCube Webmail Deserialization of Untrusted Data (critical 9.9, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2026-24061](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-24061/): GNU InetUtils Argument Injection (critical 9.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2025-39682](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2025-39682/): Linux Kernel Improper Check for Unusual or Exceptional Conditions (critical 9.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2024-9680](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-9680/): Mozilla Firefox Use-After-Free (critical 9.8, exploited in the wild)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2017-12599 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2017-12599 is a high-severity memory corruption vulnerability in Debian Debian Linux, published on 7 Aug 2017. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2017-12599 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- opencv-contrib-python (PyPI): affected all versions; fixed in 3.3.1.11
- opencv-contrib-python (PyPI): affected all versions; fixed in 3.3.1.11
- opencv-contrib-python (PyPI): affected all versions; fixed in 3.3.1.11
- opencv-python (PyPI): affected all versions; fixed in 3.3.1.11
- opencv-python (PyPI): affected all versions; fixed in 3.3.1.11
- opencv-python (PyPI): affected all versions; fixed in 3.3.1.11

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-12599/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-12599/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2017-12599
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2017-12599
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2017-12599

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-12599/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.