BlackTreeCVE Intelligence
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Full vulnerability report · 2015
CVE-2015-0973High confidence

Affected product: Buffer Copy without Checking Size of Input ('Classic Buffer Overflow')

Unknown · Unknown

8.8HighCVSS 3.1
Recommended action
Within 7 days

High technical severity with public exploit material referenced by a structured source; prioritise exposed affected systems while verifying vendor guidance.

Fix not verified
R
Operational reassessment

Published severity in operational context

Open reassessment dashboard →
Published severityHighOperational priority:Critical, raised one band.upgradedsince 9 Jun 2025

Evidence used

  • No CISA KEV confirmation is currently recorded.
  • A structured source references public exploit or proof-of-concept material.
  • EPSS is 4.14% for the current model date.

Compensating controls

  • Restrict the affected network interface to trusted sources where business-safe.
  • Increase monitoring for the attack path and post-exploitation behaviour described in the report.

Verification

  1. Confirm that the asset runs Unknown Unknown and falls inside the recorded affected range.
  2. Recheck the vendor advisory before scheduling a change because no verified fixed version is currently retained.
  3. Validate exposure, authentication requirements and compensating controls in the actual environment.
  4. Reopen this reassessment when CVSS, KEV, EPSS, exploit evidence or remediation changes.
Mitigation target: Within 3 daysRemediation target: Within 90 days

This automated reassessment organises public evidence. It does not know asset exposure, business impact or control effectiveness and does not replace CVSS or a human risk decision.

Distribution package intelligence

Release-specific package status

Debian findings are scoped to the named distribution, release and source package. An absent finding does not mean a package is unaffected.

8 package states
Repository candidate not checked

A published vendor fix does not prove that a matching update is enabled and installable on a particular asset. Confirm the local package candidate before scheduling remediation.

Distribution releaseSource packageVendor stateFixed versionEvidence
Debian trixietrixie · sourcelibpng1.6Vendor fix publishedDebian records a fixed source-package version for this release.1.6.16-1Debian Security Tracker ↗Source updated 5 Oct 2026
Debian trixietrixie · sourcetexlive-binVendor fix publishedDebian records a fixed source-package version for this release.2014.20140926.35254-6Debian Security Tracker ↗Source updated 5 Oct 2026
Debian bookwormbookworm · sourcelibpng1.6Vendor fix publishedDebian records a fixed source-package version for this release.1.6.16-1Debian Security Tracker ↗Source updated 5 Oct 2026
Debian bookwormbookworm · sourcetexlive-binVendor fix publishedDebian records a fixed source-package version for this release.2014.20140926.35254-6Debian Security Tracker ↗Source updated 5 Oct 2026
Debian forkyforky · sourcelibpng1.6Vendor fix publishedDebian records a fixed source-package version for this release.1.6.16-1Debian Security Tracker ↗Source updated 5 Oct 2026
Debian forkyforky · sourcetexlive-binVendor fix publishedDebian records a fixed source-package version for this release.2014.20140926.35254-6Debian Security Tracker ↗Source updated 5 Oct 2026
Debian sidsid · sourcelibpng1.6Vendor fix publishedDebian records a fixed source-package version for this release.1.6.16-1Debian Security Tracker ↗Source updated 5 Oct 2026
Debian sidsid · sourcetexlive-binVendor fix publishedDebian records a fixed source-package version for this release.2014.20140926.35254-6Debian Security Tracker ↗Source updated 5 Oct 2026
Optional official sources

National CERT insights
?CERT means Computer Emergency Response Team; CSIRT is the closely related term Computer Security Incident Response Team.

Choose official national sources for this report. Each advisory shows its original language. Your selection is remembered on this device and included in shared links.

Official European source

ENISA European Vulnerability Database

Official EUVD identifiers, advisory evidence and known-exploited context. Missing fields are not treated as evidence of low risk.

1 current
ENISA EUVD identifier

EUVD-2015-0981

No EUVD known-exploited evidence

ENISA has published the identifier mapping but no EUVD description has been stored yet.

EUVD state
Present in the current official mapping
Known exploitation
Not present in the current ENISA EUVD known-exploited dataset. This is not proof of no exploitation.
ENISA score
Not supplied in the stored EUVD record
Advisory evidence
No linked advisory details stored yet
Recommended actionWithin 7 days

High technical severity with public exploit material referenced by a structured source; prioritise exposed affected systems while verifying vendor guidance.

Fix not verified
01

What, why and how

Buffer overflow in the png_read_IDAT_data function in pngrutil.c in libpng before 1.5.21 and 1.6.x before 1.6.16 allows context-dependent attackers to execute arbitrary code via IDAT data with a large width, a different vulnerability than CVE-2014-9495.

What

Buffer overflow in the png_read_IDAT_data function in pngrutil.c in libpng before 1.5.21 and 1.6.x before 1.6.16 allows context-dependent attackers to execute arbitrary code via IDAT data with a large width, a different vulnerability than CVE-2014-9495.

Why

The product copies an input buffer to an output buffer without verifying that the size of the input buffer is less than the size of the output buffer.

How

An attacker operating through a network path may attempt exploitation without authentication after a user interaction. If successful, the issue may execute code or commands in the affected security context.

What

Buffer overflow in the png_read_IDAT_data function in pngrutil.c in libpng before 1.5.21 and 1.6.x before 1.6.16 allows context-dependent attackers to execute arbitrary code via IDAT data with a large width, a different vulnerability than CVE-2014-9495.

Why

The product copies an input buffer to an output buffer without verifying that the size of the input buffer is less than the size of the output buffer.

How

An attacker operating through a network path may attempt exploitation without authentication after a user interaction. If successful, the issue may execute code or commands in the affected security context.

02

Exploit reality and attack path

CVSS severity, EPSS forecast probability, public exploit material and CISA-confirmed exploitation are separate signals.

Observed exploitation
?Confirmed exploitation and public exploit material are separate signals. Attacks can occur without public proof-of-concept or exploit code.
No confirmed evidence

No CISA KEV match was present at the last successful refresh. This means no confirmation from that source, not proof of no exploitation.

Public PoC / exploit material
?Confirmed exploitation and public exploit material are separate signals. Attacks can occur without public proof-of-concept or exploit code.
Reference recorded

A structured CVE source labels at least one public reference as exploit material. BlackTree has not independently validated that it is safe, reliable or weaponised.

Likely attack path
a network path → Buffer Copy without Checking Size of Input ('Classic Buffer Overflow') → execute code or commands in the affected security context
Attack surface
Network
Privileges required
None: unauthenticated exploitation is possible
User interaction
Required interaction required
Attack complexity
Low: no specialised conditions are recorded
Security boundary
Unchanged: impact remains within the vulnerable component's security authority
Weakness
?CWE means Common Weakness Enumeration: a standard category for the underlying weakness.
CWE-120 ↗

CWE-120: Buffer Copy without Checking Size of Input ('Classic Buffer Overflow'). The product copies an input buffer to an output buffer without verifying that the size of the input buffer is less than the size of the output buffer.

CVSS vector
?CVSS means Common Vulnerability Scoring System. The vector records the metric values used to calculate technical severity.
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Common Vulnerability Scoring System 3.1: the compact vector below is decoded into plain language.

AVNetworkAttack vector: The vulnerable component can be reached over a network.ACLowAttack complexity: No specialised conditions are required beyond attacker-controlled input.PRNonePrivileges required: The attacker does not need an account or existing privileges.UIRequiredUser interaction: Another user must perform an action for exploitation to succeed.SUnchangedScope: The security impact remains within the vulnerable component's authority.CHighConfidentiality impact: A successful attack can cause a major loss.IHighIntegrity impact: A successful attack can cause a major loss.AHighAvailability impact: A successful attack can cause a major loss.
Post-exploitation / living off the land
After compromise, an attacker may use built-in shells, scripting engines, scheduled tasks and native network utilities for discovery, persistence or movement. This is a plausible LoTL path, not evidence that it has occurred for every attack.
NetworkUnauthenticatedRemote code executionCWE-120Public exploit reference
A

Official authority intelligence

Only matched European and national findings are included. Language selectors and unavailable sources are omitted.

BSI · German · WID-SEC-2025-1424libpng: Schwachstelle ermöglicht Ausführen von beliebigem Programmcode mit Benutzerrechten

Ein entfernter, anonymer Angreifer kann eine Schwachstelle in libpng ausnutzen, um beliebigen Programmcode mit Benutzerrechten auszuführen.

Official advisory ↗
CERT-FR · French · CERTFR-2016-AVI-106Multiples vulnérabilités dans les produits Apple

e.com/en-us/HT206167 Bulletin de sécurité Apple HT206168 du 21 mars 2016 https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT206168 Bulletin de sécurité Apple HT206169 du 21 mars 2016 https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT206169 Bulletin de sécurité Apple HT206171 du 21 mars 2016 https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT206171 Bulletin de sécurité Apple HT206172 du 21 mars 2016 https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT206172 Bulletin de sécurité Apple HT206173 du 21 mars 2016 https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT206173 Référence CVE CVE-2009-2197 https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2009-2197 Référence CVE CVE-2014-9495 https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2014-9495 Référence CVE CVE-2015-0973 https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2015-0973 Référence CVE CVE-2015-1819 https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2015-1819 Référence CVE CVE-2015-3184 https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2015-3184 Référence CVE CVE-2015-3187 https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2015-3187 Référence CVE CVE-2015-3195 https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2015-3195 Référence CVE CVE-2015-5312 https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2015-5312 Référence CVE CVE-2015-5333 https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2015-5333 Référence CVE CVE-2015-5334 https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2015-5334 Référence CVE CVE-2015-7499 https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2015-7499 Ré

Official advisory ↗
JVN iPedia · Japanese · JVNDB-2015-001198libpng の pngrutil.c 内の png_read_IDAT_data 関数におけるバッファオーバーフローの脆弱性

libpng の pngrutil.c 内の png_read_IDAT_data 関数には、バッファオーバーフローの脆弱性が存在します。 本脆弱性は、CVE-2014-9495 とは異なる脆弱性です。

Official advisory ↗
03

Patch and workaround

Operational remediation based on structured source evidence.

Status
?Patch availability is based on structured fixed-version fields and authoritative update references. If no fix is verified, check the vendor advisory before making a change.
Fix not verified
Affected
n/a
Fixed
No fixed version is explicitly recorded in the structured CVE data.
Action
No verified patch reference is present in the current structured sources. Check the vendor advisory before making a change.
Workaround
No verified workaround is recorded. If business-safe, reduce exposure to the affected interface and allow only trusted sources until authoritative guidance is available.
04

Evidence and provenance

Published 18 Jan 2015 · Last source change 9 Jun 2025, 15:25 UTC · CWE-120 · Buffer Copy without Checking Size of Input ('Classic Buffer Overflow')

CVE recordCVE.org · 5.1
CVSS sourceCISA ADP
EPSS source
?The date BlackTree first stored a score for this CVE from the daily FIRST EPSS feed.
FIRST · tracked since 2026-09-01
European sourceENISA EUVD · EUVD-2015-0981
Product sourceUnavailable
Remediation sourceCVE/CNA references
CWE sourceCISA ADP
NVD statusNVD modified after enrichment

Missing structured fields: affected product. Missing data is not evidence of low risk; review the primary advisory.

Material change intelligence

What changed after publication

View recent updates ↗
  1. ENISA EUVD mappingEUVD-2015-0981 was added to the official ENISA EUVD mapping for this CVE.
    Before
    not recorded
    After
    {"euvdId":"EUVD-2015-0981"}
    ENISA EUVD ↗
  2. Vendor guidanceAuthoritative vendor guidance changed: added vendor advisory: support.apple.com/HT206167.
    Before
    vendor advisory: lists.apple.com/msg00004.html
    After
    vendor advisory: lists.apple.com/msg00004.html · vendor advisory: support.apple.com/HT206167
    lists.apple.com ↗
  3. Public exploit evidencePublic exploit evidence changed from No public exploit to Public exploit reference.
    Before
    No public exploit
    After
    Public exploit reference
    openwall.com ↗
  4. Catalogue recordCVE added to the BlackTree catalogue.
    CNA ↗
Material fields only · duplicate refreshes suppressed · history retained for the configured operational retention period
CVE published
ENISA EUVD · EUVD-2015-0981↗CVE authority or vendor reference↗Vendor advisory↗Public exploit reference↗Public exploit reference↗Official CVE record (CNA and ADP data)↗NVD record↗
Technical terms and abbreviations used in this report
CVE
Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures: the public identifier for one disclosed vulnerability.
CVSS
Common Vulnerability Scoring System: a technical severity framework; it is not patching priority by itself.
EPSS
Exploit Prediction Scoring System: FIRST's estimate of the probability that exploitation activity will be observed in the next 30 days; it is a forecast, not confirmation.
CWE
Common Weakness Enumeration: the standard category describing the underlying software or hardware weakness.
CNA
CVE Numbering Authority: an organisation authorised to assign and publish CVE records.
CISA ADP
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Authorized Data Publisher: structured enrichment added to a CVE record.
NVD
National Vulnerability Database: NIST's enrichment service for CVE records.
CERT / CSIRT
A computer security incident response team that publishes warnings or coordinates incident response.
PoC
Proof of concept: public material that demonstrates or helps reproduce exploitation.
CSAF
Common Security Advisory Framework: a machine-readable format for security advisories.
LoTL
Living off the land: abuse of legitimate tools or system functions during an attack.
Free version - for non-commercial use only.CVE-2015-0973 · cve.blacktree.nl