CVE-2025-15537 Mapnik dbfile.cpp string_value heap-based overflow
A heap-based buffer overflow in Mapnik's shapefile plugin allows local attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause denial of service.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Any signed-in user
- Attackable
- Local or same network only
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- None listed
What is CVE-2025-15537?
CVE-2025-15537 is a medium-severity memory corruption vulnerability in Mapnik, published on 18 Jan 2026. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.
Official description
A security vulnerability has been detected in Mapnik up to 4.2.0. This issue affects the function mapnik::dbf_file::string_value of the file plugins/input/shape/dbfile.cpp. Such manipulation leads to heap-based buffer overflow. The attack must be carried out locally. The exploit has been disclosed publicly and may be used. The project was informed of the problem early through an issue report but has not responded yet.
Which versions are affected by CVE-2025-15537?
It affects 1 product.
Products include Mapnik Mapnik.
How do I fix CVE-2025-15537?
No fix has been published for CVE-2025-15537 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.
Upgrade to the fixed version. Memory-safe languages, compiler hardening and fuzzing prevent most new cases. More about Memory corruption.
Is CVE-2025-15537 being exploited?
It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2025-15537 exists.
Other vulnerabilities in Mapnik
Sources
Also known as DEBIAN-CVE-2025-15537, GHSA-m43m-9cwc-jq98, UBUNTU-CVE-2025-15537.