Vulnerability record/PUBLISHED/Published Oct 21, 2026 20:56:26 UTC

CVE-2026-96643

Pillow is a Python imaging library. From 11.0.0 until 13.0.0, Exif.load() in src/PIL/Image.py repeatedly slices the remaining EXIF data while it begins with the six-byte Exif header. src/PIL/PngImagePlugin.py accepts an uncapped PNG eXIf chunk, so a file filled with repeated headers causes a new shrinking copy on every iteration and quadratic CPU work. The condition is reachable through Image.getexif(), Image._getexif(), and ImageOps.exif_transpose(), including common photo-upload rotation workflows. This issue is fixed in version 13.0.0.

Base score7.1/ 10

SeverityHighCVSS 4.0

Exploitability / impact

CVSS metric breakdown

Vector-derived attributes

Base severityHigh

Attack vectorNetworkAV

Attack complexityLowAC

Attack requirementsNoneAT

Privileges requiredNonePR

User interactionPassiveUI

Vulnerable system confidentialityNoneVC

Vulnerable system integrityNoneVI

Vulnerable system availabilityHighVA

Subsequent system confidentialityNoneSC

Subsequent system integrityNoneSI

Subsequent system availabilityNoneSA

CVSS vector stringCVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:P/VC:N/VI:N/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N

CVSS communicates standardized severity and impact characteristics. It does not establish whether a system is exploitable in your specific environment.

Record context

CVE Numbering AuthorityGitHub_M

Last updatedOct 23, 2026 21:19:12 UTC

PublishedOct 21, 2026 20:56:26 UTC

ReservedSep 23, 2026 14:35:50 UTC