Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
iccDEV versions 2.3.1.1 and earlier have memory-safety flaws when handling ICC color profile data. A user must interact with malicious or crafted input, but successful exploitation could seriously affect the running process. Organizations using iccDEV libraries or tools should update to the fixed version.
Executive priority
Treat as a high-priority patching item for systems that process color profiles or include iccDEV. Business urgency is highest where external files are accepted. If iccDEV is not present, exposure is unlikely based on current sources.
Technical view
CVE-2026-21486 affects InternationalColorConsortium iccDEV before 2.3.1.2. The issue is in CIccSparseMatrix::CIccSparseMatrix and includes use-after-free, heap buffer overflow, integer overflow or wraparound, and out-of-bounds write weaknesses. CVSS 3.1 is 7.8: local attack vector, low complexity, no privileges, user interaction required, high CIA impact.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most likely where iccDEV tools or libraries process ICC color profiles, especially files from users, partners, or external sources. Products embedding vulnerable iccDEV versions may also be exposed, but no downstream affected products are identified in the provided sources.
Exploitation context
The CVSS vector indicates local exploitation requiring user interaction, with no privileges needed. The source bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or cited evidence of active exploitation. Public sources identify the vulnerability and fix, not observed attacks.
Researcher notes
Focus review on CIccSparseMatrix::CIccSparseMatrix and memory allocation, integer sizing, object lifetime, and bounds handling. The provided data supports high impact but does not provide exploit details or downstream product scope. Avoid assuming remote exposure unless an application exposes profile processing remotely.
Mitigation direction
- Upgrade iccDEV to version 2.3.1.2 or later.
- Review the GitHub security advisory for vendor guidance.
- Inventory applications that bundle or statically link iccDEV.
- Limit processing of untrusted ICC profiles until patched.
- Monitor upstream dependencies for packages incorporating the fix.
Validation and detection
- Check installed or bundled iccDEV version numbers.
- Review SBOMs, build manifests, and vendored source trees.
- Confirm versions older than 2.3.1.2 are removed or rebuilt.
- Verify the fix aligns with the referenced upstream commit.
- Document systems that process externally supplied ICC profiles.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
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.
CWE-122: Exact CWE lookup
Use the exact CWE identifier as the starting point before reviewing related ATT&CK behavior. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCWE-190: Exact CWE lookup
Use the exact CWE identifier as the starting point before reviewing related ATT&CK behavior. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCWE-416: Exact CWE lookup
Use the exact CWE identifier as the starting point before reviewing related ATT&CK behavior. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCWE-787: Exact CWE lookup
Use the exact CWE identifier as the starting point before reviewing related ATT&CK behavior. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2026-21486 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- High
- CVSS
- 7.8 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
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.
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe 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.
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H1.85.9Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
7.8HighVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://github.com/InternationalColorConsortium/iccDEV/security/advisories/GHSA-mg98-j5q2-674wCVE reference · x_refsource_CONFIRM
- https://github.com/InternationalColorConsortium/iccDEV/commit/1ab7363f38a20089934d3410c88f714eea392bf5CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.