CVE-2026-55371: CWE-20: Improper Input Validation in AcademySoftwareFoundation openexr
Description
A NULL pointer dereference vulnerability exists in AcademySoftwareFoundation's OpenEXR versions 3.4.0 through 3.4.12 in the exr_attr_set_bytes() function. This occurs when a positive hint_length is provided with a NULL type_hint pointer, leading to a crash and denial of service. The issue is fixed in version 3.4.13.
CVSS v4.0
Score 6.9medium
Affected software
AcademySoftwareFoundation
openexr
pkg:github/academysoftwarefoundation/openexrRun on your own infrastructure? Check whether these packages are installed with threat-finder — our free open-source scanner.
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
OpenEXR versions 3.4.0 through 3.4.12 contain a NULL pointer dereference vulnerability in the OpenEXRCore function exr_attr_set_bytes(). The function validates the top-level exr_attr_bytes_t pointer but fails to check that the nested type_hint pointer is non-NULL when hint_length is greater than zero. If a caller supplies a positive hint_length with a NULL type_hint, exr_attr_bytes_create() attempts to copy from the NULL pointer, causing a deterministic crash. This flaw is accessible via the public OpenEXRCore C API and results in denial of service. The vulnerability is addressed in version 3.4.13.
Potential Impact
The vulnerability allows an attacker to cause a denial of service by triggering a NULL pointer dereference crash in the OpenEXR library. There is no indication of privilege escalation, code execution, or data corruption. The impact is limited to service disruption.
Mitigation Recommendations
Upgrade OpenEXR to version 3.4.13 or later, where this NULL pointer dereference vulnerability has been fixed. No other mitigations are indicated or necessary.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- GitHub_M
- Date Reserved
- 2026-06-16T18:57:40.181Z
- Cvss Version
- 4.0
- State
- PUBLISHED
Threat ID: 6a8ce766acd9273b49691814
Added to database: 08/25/2026, 00:52:54 UTC
Last enriched: 09/10/2026, 20:48:29 UTC
Last updated: 10/08/2026, 18:48:46 UTC
Views: 74
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