---
title: "CVE-2026-120208: libheif - Buffer Overflow"
description: "libheif < 1.23.3 contains a heap-based buffer overflow caused by unequal bit depths in chroma components in unc_decoder_mixed_interleave::processTile(), letting attackers execute code via crafted HEIF files, exploit requires crafted file input."
url: https://panop.io/threat-heartbeat/CVE-2026-120208/
---

# CVE-2026-120208 libheif - Buffer Overflow

libheif < 1.23.3 contains a heap-based buffer overflow caused by unequal bit depths in chroma components in unc\_decoder\_mixed\_interleave::processTile(), letting attackers execute code via crafted HEIF files, exploit requires crafted file input.

CVSS base score 7.5 /10

High

CISA KEV

Not listed

Public exploit

None known

Authentication

Not required

[View the NVD record ↗](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-120208)

## Details

Type

Buffer Overflow

Impact

Remote Code Execution

CVSS vector

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Published

31 October 2026

Updated

1 November 2026

Weakness

[CWE-122](https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/122.html)

## Vendor fix

Update to version 1.23.3 or later.

Patching closes this CVE. It does not tell you which of your systems run the affected version, or what else is exposed alongside them.

## References

- [https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-120208](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-120208)
- [https://github.com/strukturag/libheif/blob/v1.23.2/libheif/codecs/uncompressed/unc\_decoder\_mixed\_interleave.cc#L95](https://github.com/strukturag/libheif/blob/v1.23.2/libheif/codecs/uncompressed/unc_decoder_mixed_interleave.cc#L95)
- [https://github.com/strukturag/libheif/commit/9d3cd91d7b1c8c68deef6d06057ab956bcb0dfb9](https://github.com/strukturag/libheif/commit/9d3cd91d7b1c8c68deef6d06057ab956bcb0dfb9)
- [https://github.com/strukturag/libheif/releases/tag/v1.23.3](https://github.com/strukturag/libheif/releases/tag/v1.23.3)
- [https://github.com/strukturag/libheif/security/advisories/GHSA-x8r2-mggj-j6wr](https://github.com/strukturag/libheif/security/advisories/GHSA-x8r2-mggj-j6wr)
- [https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/libheif-1.18.0-before-1.23.3-heap-buffer-overflow-via-unci-mixed-interleave-decoder](https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/libheif-1.18.0-before-1.23.3-heap-buffer-overflow-via-unci-mixed-interleave-decoder)

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## What this record can't tell you

- Whether you run the affected software, and where
- Whether an attacker can actually reach and exploit it
- The misconfigurations that never get a CVE number
- What it would cost the business, ranked into what to fix first

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