# CVE-2026-8822: VTK vtkDEMReader buffer overflow in ReadProfiles

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-8822-a-memory-corruption-vulnerability-exists-in-the-vtkdemreader  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-10-29. Updated: 2026-10-29  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-8822 · Severity: high · CVSS 7.5 · Published 2026-10-29

VTK is an open-source 3D visualization and image processing library used in scientific and engineering applications. A buffer overflow vulnerability in the USGS DEM file reader allows an attacker to cause a denial of service or potentially execute code by providing a specially crafted elevation model file that triggers out-of-bounds memory writes.

Technologies: [Kitware VTK](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/kitware-vtk). Vendors: [Kitware](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/kitware).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-8822 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-8822 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-8822?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 7.5, published 29 October 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Kitware VTK 9.6.1.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-8822?** Yes: fixed in VTK 9.6.2, 9.7.1. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-8822 attacked?** It is attacked over the network.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-8822?** Check whether you run Kitware VTK 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 VTK 9.6.2, 9.7.1

## Technical details

The vtkDEMReader::ReadProfiles function fails to validate record geometry parameters from specially crafted USGS DEM files, leading to a heap buffer overflow. An attacker-controlled row or column size in the B-record prefix can cause writes beyond the allocated scalar buffer. The vulnerability requires a local file read operation (file-based attack vector) but no authentication or user interaction beyond opening a malicious DEM file.

## Affected products

- Kitware VTK 9.6.1

## Timeline

- 2026-10-29: disclosed

## References

- [https://talosintelligence.com/vulnerability_reports/TALOS-2026-2421](https://talosintelligence.com/vulnerability_reports/TALOS-2026-2421)
- [https://vtk.org/download/](https://vtk.org/download/)

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