# CVE-2023-45664: Double-free in stbi__load_gif_main_outofmem in stb_image

> A crafted image file can trigger a double-free vulnerability in the stb_image library, potentially leading to code execution in multi-threaded environments.

- **Severity:** High 7.3 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 20 Oct 2023
- **Updated:** 13 Feb 2025
- **Also known as:** DEBIAN-CVE-2023-45664, UBUNTU-CVE-2023-45664

## What is CVE-2023-45664?

CVE-2023-45664 is a high-severity use after free vulnerability in nothings stb, published on 20 Oct 2023. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

stb_image is a single file MIT licensed library for processing images. A crafted image file can trigger `stbi__load_gif_main_outofmem` attempt to double-free the out variable. This happens in `stbi__load_gif_main` because when the `layers * stride` value is zero the behavior is implementation defined, but common that realloc frees the old memory and returns null pointer. Since it attempts to double-free the memory a few lines below the first “free”, the issue can be potentially exploited only in a multi-threaded environment. In the worst case this may lead to code execution.

Weakness: CWE-415 (Double Free)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2023-45664?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Nothings Stb Image.h.

## How do I fix CVE-2023-45664?

Apply the vendor's patch.

## Is CVE-2023-45664 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2023-45664 exists.

## Other vulnerabilities in nothings stb

- [CVE-2019-19777](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2019-19777/): Memory corruption in n/a (high 8.8)
- [CVE-2023-45666](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-45666/): Possible double-free or memory leak in stbi__load_gif_main in stb_image (high 7.3)
- [CVE-2023-43281](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-43281/): Use after free in n/a (medium 6.5)
- [CVE-2023-45661](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-45661/): Wild address read in stbi__gif_load_next in stb_image (medium 6.5)
- [CVE-2023-45662](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-45662/): Multi-byte read heap buffer overflow in stbi__vertical_flip in stb_image (medium 6.5)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2023-45664 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2023-45664 is a high-severity use after free vulnerability in nothings stb, published on 20 Oct 2023. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2023-45664 exists.

Affected product: nothings stb. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

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-2023-45664/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-45664/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2023-45664
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-45664
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2023-45664

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-45664/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.