CVE-2026-112405: CWE-476: NULL Pointer Dereference in python-pillow Pillow
Description
A NULL pointer dereference vulnerability exists in the python-pillow Pillow library versions 12.0.0 up to but not including 13.0.0. The issue occurs in the Image.merge() function, where validation skips the first input band, allowing a crafted image to cause a native process crash. This can be triggered by opening a specially crafted IPTC file or by directly invoking Image.merge() with a malformed first band. The vulnerability is fixed in version 13.0.0.
CVSS v4.0
Score 8.7high
Affected software
python-pillow
Pillow
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Weaknesses
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
Pillow, a Python imaging library, has a NULL pointer dereference vulnerability (CWE-476) in versions >=12.0.0 and <13.0.0. The flaw is in the Image.merge() function, which improperly validates input bands by skipping the first band. This allows a 32-bit integer or floating-point image backed by image32 storage to be merged as a narrower multiband image, leading to dereferencing a null image plane and causing a native process crash. A crafted IPTC file can trigger this vulnerability when loaded by an application, or it can be exploited by directly calling Image.merge() with a malicious first band. The issue is resolved in Pillow version 13.0.0.
Potential Impact
Exploitation of this vulnerability results in a native process crash due to NULL pointer dereference. This causes denial of service in applications using the affected Pillow versions when processing crafted IPTC files or when Image.merge() is called with malicious input. There is no indication of code execution or data corruption beyond the crash.
Mitigation Recommendations
Upgrade to Pillow version 13.0.0 or later, where this vulnerability is fixed. No other mitigation is required as the fix is official and complete.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- GitHub_M
- Date Reserved
- 2026-10-19T16:58:51.960Z
- Cvss Version
- 4.0
- State
- PUBLISHED
Threat ID: 6ad6906e2cdf04f65695018b
Added to database: 10/19/2026, 21:49:34 UTC
Last enriched: 10/19/2026, 22:03:15 UTC
Last updated: 10/19/2026, 22:08:13 UTC
Views: 5
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