# CVE-2026-120435: Netpbm heap buffer overflow in xpmtoppm

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-120435-netpbm-before-10-86-51-11-x-before-11-02-30-and-11-03-before-11  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-11-02. Updated: 2026-11-02  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-120435 · Severity: high · CVSS 7.8 · Published 2026-11-02

Netpbm is a suite of graphics conversion tools that includes xpmtoppm, which converts XPM image files to PPM format. A heap buffer overflow in xpmtoppm can be triggered by supplying a crafted XPM file with an invalid characters-per-pixel value, potentially allowing an attacker to crash the application or execute arbitrary code.

Technologies: [Netpbm](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/netpbm). Vendors: [Netpbm](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/netpbm).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-120435 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-120435 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-120435?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 7.8, published 2 November 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Netpbm before 10.86.51, 11.x before 11.02.30, 11.03 before 11.15.08.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-120435?** Yes: fixed in Netpbm 10.86.51, 11.02.30, 11.15.08. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-120435 attacked?** It is attacked with local access.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-120435?** Check whether you run Netpbm at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## How to fix

- Fixed in Netpbm 10.86.51, 11.02.30, 11.15.08

## Technical details

The xpmtoppm converter contains a heap buffer overflow vulnerability caused by insufficient validation of the characters-per-pixel (cpp) value in the XPM file header. When cpp exceeds 3, it causes overruns of fixed 3-byte colorName hash table entries (struct ColorNameHashTableEntry). The vulnerability is triggered by processing a malicious XPM file and can lead to memory corruption, denial of service, or code execution.

## Affected products

- Netpbm Netpbm before 10.86.51, 11.x before 11.02.30, 11.03 before 11.15.08

## Timeline

- 2026-11-02: disclosed
- 2026-09-12: patched: Fix committed to repository (r5336)

## References

- [https://sourceforge.net/p/netpbm/code/5336/](https://sourceforge.net/p/netpbm/code/5336/)
- [https://svn.code.sf.net/p/netpbm/code/!svn/bc/5335/trunk/converter/ppm/xpmtoppm.c](https://svn.code.sf.net/p/netpbm/code/!svn/bc/5335/trunk/converter/ppm/xpmtoppm.c)

## Related threats

- [Netpbm tgatoppm out-of-bounds read in color map indexing](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-120437-netpbm-before-10-86-51-11-x-before-11-02-30-and-11-03-before-11)
- [Netpbm jbigtopnm integer overflow heap buffer overflow](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-120436-netpbm-before-10-86-51-11-x-before-11-02-30-and-11-03-before-11)
- [Netpbm stack buffer overflow in picttoppm scanPoly()](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-120434-netpbm-before-10-86-51-11-x-before-11-02-30-and-11-03-before-11)
- [Netpbm stack buffer overflow in picttoppm paintPoly](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-120433-netpbm-before-10-86-51-11-x-before-11-02-30-and-11-03-before-11)
- [Netpbm integer overflow in winicontopam](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-120432-netpbm-before-10-86-51-11-02-30-and-11-15-08-contains-an-integer)