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CVE Record

CVE-2018-3977: An exploitable code execution vulnerability exists in the XCF image rendering functionality of SDL2_image-2...

An exploitable code execution vulnerability exists in the XCF image rendering functionality of SDL2_image-2.0.3. A specially crafted XCF image can cause a heap overflow, resulting in code execution. An attacker can display a specially crafted image to trigger this vulnerability.

HighCVSS 8.8Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

SDL2_image 2.0.3 can be tricked by a malicious XCF image into corrupting heap memory and potentially running attacker code. The attacker must get a user or application to render the crafted image, so exposure depends on where this library processes untrusted images.

Executive priority

Treat as high priority where SDL2_image processes untrusted images. The business risk is attacker code execution through content handling, but exploitation requires image rendering and no source here confirms active exploitation.

Technical view

CVE-2018-3977 is a heap overflow in SDL2_image 2.0.3 XCF rendering. CVSS 3.0 is 8.8: network-reachable attack path, low complexity, no privileges, user interaction required, and high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact.

Likely exposure

Most likely exposure is software, games, media tools, or services that use vulnerable SDL2_image to parse user-supplied or externally delivered XCF images. Distro package names may differ; validate against the linked Debian, Ubuntu, and Gentoo advisories.

Exploitation context

The bundle states a specially crafted XCF image can trigger code execution when displayed. CISA KEV is false here, and no provided source states active exploitation in the wild.

Researcher notes

Focus validation on XCF parsing paths in SDL2_image 2.0.3 and downstream distro packages. Avoid assuming all SDL products are affected; use advisory package mappings and local dependency evidence.

Mitigation direction

  • Upgrade affected SDL2_image packages using vendor or distribution security updates.
  • Check Gentoo, Debian, and Ubuntu advisories for fixed package versions in your environment.
  • Reduce handling of untrusted XCF files until vulnerable packages are updated.
  • Inventory applications that bundle SDL2_image rather than using system packages.

Validation and detection

  • Identify installed SDL2_image versions and compare them with vendor advisory fixed versions.
  • Review applications that render XCF images from users, downloads, email, or web content.
  • Confirm distro security updates for libsdl2-image or related SDL image packages are applied.
  • Check software bills of materials for bundled SDL2_image 2.0.3 copies.
Prepared
Confidence
high
Sources
7

Public sources used

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.

ATT&CK lookup starting points

Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.

description · low confidence lookup

Execution behavior lookup

The CVE wording references code or command execution, so execution technique review may help defensive triage. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.

Open ATT&CK lookup
cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2018-3977 mapping review

Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
High
CVSS
8.8 (3.0)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

1CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
6Source links

CVSS vector scores

1 official score

We collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.

ScoreVersionSeverityVectorExploitImpactSource
8.8CVSS 3.0HighCVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H2.85.9Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.0 score

8.8High
CVSS 3.0 vector shape for CVE-2018-3977Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Attack Vector
NetworkAdjacentLocalPhysical
Attack Complexity
LowHigh
Privileges Required
NoneLowHigh
User Interaction
NoneRequired
Scope
ChangedUnchanged
Confidentiality Impact
HighLowNone
Integrity Impact
HighLowNone
Availability Impact
HighLowNone

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
Simple DirectMedia LayerSimple DirectMedia LayerSimple DirectMedia Layer SDL2_image 2.0.3Listed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.