---
id: "CVE-2026-8822"
kind: "vulnerability"
aliases: ["CVE-2026-8822"]
title: "VTK: crafted USGS DEM file overflows buffer in vtkDEMReader"
severity: "high"
cvss: 7.5
epss: null
exploited: false
status: "open"
category: "package"
products: [{"name": "vtk", "fixed": [], "affected": "9.6.1", "ecosystem": "pypi"}]
ecosystems: []
tags: ["c++", "gis", "package", "python", "scientific-computing", "vtk"]
not_affected_if: ["no-dem-input", "trusted-data-only"]
published_at: "2026-10-29T19:17:28+00:00"
first_seen_at: "2026-10-29T19:26:48+00:00"
updated_at: "2026-10-29T19:28:22+00:00"
sources: [{"source": "nvd", "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-8822", "first_seen_at": "2026-10-29T19:26:48+00:00"}, {"source": "analyst", "url": null, "first_seen_at": "2026-10-29T19:28:22+00:00"}]
---

# VTK: crafted USGS DEM file overflows buffer in vtkDEMReader

VTK, the Visualization Toolkit library, has a memory corruption bug in its vtkDEMReader ReadProfiles code path for USGS DEM terrain files. A crafted DEM file can cause a buffer overflow, which an attacker can use to crash the process or possibly run code when a victim opens the file.

_Summary, check and fix written by a model from the sources; labelled as such._

## Affected

- pypi:vtk affected 9.6.1 fixed ?

## How to check

- Check the installed VTK version, for example `vtkVersion::GetVTKVersion()` or the VTK package version in your build or lockfile, and look for `9.6.1`.
- Search your code and pipelines for uses of the vtkDEMReader class or DEM file input.

## Timeline

- 2026-10-29T19:26:48+00:00 nvd https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-8822
- 2026-10-29T19:28:22+00:00 analyst — NVD (CNA: Cisco Talos) names VTK 9.6.1 only. I found no Talos report, VTK/Kitware advisory or fixed version for this CVE, so fix stays unknown and nothing is verified. Reachability: vtkDEMReader::ReadProfiles runs on normal Update() of a DEM file, so opening a crafted file is enough. CVSS vector in the signal says AV:N/A:H only. To settle: Talos report or the Kitware GitLab issue/release notes after 9.6.1.

## Documents

- [describes] NVD CVE-2026-8822 https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-8822

## From the sources

A memory corruption vulnerability exists in the vtkDEMReader ReadProfiles functionality of vtk (version(s): 9.6.1). A specially crafted USGS DEM can lead to a buffer overflow. An attacker can provide a malicious file to trigger this vulnerability.

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_Free to read at a human pace. An API with keys and an MCP server are in preparation; early access: hello@infrastack.ai_