CVE-2026-21501
📋 TL;DR
CVE-2026-21501 is a stack overflow vulnerability in iccDEV's calculator parser that could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause denial of service. This affects all systems using iccDEV libraries or tools for ICC color profile management prior to version 2.3.1.2. Users and applications processing untrusted ICC profiles are at risk.
💻 Affected Systems
- iccDEV libraries and tools
📦 What is this software?
Iccdev by Color
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Remote code execution leading to complete system compromise if exploited successfully against vulnerable applications processing malicious ICC profiles.
Likely Case
Application crash or denial of service when processing specially crafted ICC profiles, potentially disrupting color management workflows.
If Mitigated
Limited impact with proper input validation and memory protections, potentially just application instability.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires crafting malicious ICC profiles that trigger the stack overflow. No public exploit code has been identified.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 2.3.1.2
Vendor Advisory: https://github.com/InternationalColorConsortium/iccDEV/commit/798be59011649a26a529600cc3cd56437634d3d0
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update iccDEV to version 2.3.1.2 or later. 2. Recompile any applications using iccDEV libraries. 3. Restart affected services or applications.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Input validation for ICC profiles
allImplement strict validation of ICC profile inputs before processing with iccDEV libraries
Memory protection controls
allEnable stack protection (ASLR, DEP) on systems to reduce exploit success probability
# Linux: echo 2 > /proc/sys/kernel/randomize_va_space
# Windows: Enable Data Execution Prevention (DEP) in system properties
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Isolate systems using iccDEV from untrusted networks and inputs
- Implement application-level monitoring for crashes or abnormal behavior in ICC profile processing
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check iccDEV version: iccDEV --version or examine linked library versions in applicationsCheck Version:
iccDEV --version 2>&1 | head -1Verify Fix Applied:
Confirm version is 2.3.1.2 or later and test with known safe ICC profiles📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Application crashes during ICC profile processing
- Memory access violation errors in application logs
- Abnormal termination of color management services
Network Indicators:
- Unusual ICC profile uploads to web applications
- Multiple failed ICC processing attempts
SIEM Query:
source="application.log" AND ("segmentation fault" OR "access violation" OR "stack overflow") AND "icc"🔗 References
- https://github.com/InternationalColorConsortium/iccDEV/blob/8e71f0a701abcbd554725ba7b70258203e682a61/IccProfLib/IccMpeCalc.cpp#L4588
- https://github.com/InternationalColorConsortium/iccDEV/commit/798be59011649a26a529600cc3cd56437634d3d0
- https://github.com/InternationalColorConsortium/iccDEV/commit/f3056ed99935d479091470127ad16f8be1912bb7
- https://github.com/InternationalColorConsortium/iccDEV/issues/365
- https://github.com/InternationalColorConsortium/iccDEV/pull/413
- https://github.com/InternationalColorConsortium/iccDEV/security/advisories/GHSA-x7hw-h22p-2x4w
