CVE-2023-0996 Memory corruption in libheif

High 7.8 Published 24 Feb 2023 Updated 11 Mar 2025

A buffer overflow in libheif's strided image parsing allows attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause denial of service via crafted image files.

Exploited in the wild: Not known
Login needed: Not needed
Attackable: Local or same network only
Victim action needed: A user has to click or open something
Fix: Available

What is CVE-2023-0996?

CVE-2023-0996 is a high-severity memory corruption vulnerability in Struktur libheif, published on 24 Feb 2023. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.

Official description

There is a vulnerability in the strided image data parsing code in the emscripten wrapper for libheif. An attacker could exploit this through a crafted image file to cause a buffer overflow in linear memory during a memcpy call.

Weakness: CWE-120

Which versions are affected by CVE-2023-0996?

It affects 1 product.

Linux distribution packages (2)

`libheif` SUSE:Linux Enterprise Module for Desktop Applications 15 SP4	All versions	`1.12.0-150400.3.8.1`
`libheif` openSUSE:Leap 15.4	All versions	`1.12.0-150400.3.8.1`

Products include Struktur Libheif.

How do I fix CVE-2023-0996?

Apply the vendor's patch.

Upgrade to the fixed version. Memory-safe languages, compiler hardening and fuzzing prevent most new cases. More about Memory corruption.

Is CVE-2023-0996 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2023-0996 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Sources

Also known as DEBIAN-CVE-2023-0996, GHSA-3hqh-h748-xjx8, MGASA-2023-0144, SUSE-SU-2023:1766-1, UBUNTU-CVE-2023-0996.