python-pillow Pillow up to 12.x Exif src/PIL/Image.py Exif.load resource consumption

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in python-pillow Pillow up to 12.x. It has been declared as problematic. This affects the function Exif.load of the file src/PIL/Image.py of the component Exif. The manipulation results in resource consumption. This vulnerability is cataloged as CVE-2026-96643. The attack may be launched remotely. There is no exploit available. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in python-pillow Pillow up to 12.x. It has been classified as problematic. Affected is the function Exif.load of the file src/PIL/Image.py of the component Exif. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a resource consumption vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-400. The product does not properly control the allocation and maintenance of a limited resource, thereby enabling an actor to influence the amount of resources consumed, eventually leading to the exhaustion of available resources. This is going to have an impact on availability. CVE summarizes:

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.

The advisory is shared for download at github.com. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2026-96643 since 09/23/2026. The exploitability is told to be easy. It is possible to launch the attack remotely. Successful exploitation requires user interaction by the victim. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available. The MITRE ATT&CK project declares the attack technique as T1499.

Upgrading to version 13.0.0 eliminates this vulnerability.

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Productinfo

Type

• Programming Language Software

Vendor

• python-pillow

Name

• Pillow

Version

• 12.x

License

• open-source

Website

• Product: https://github.com/python-pillow/Pillow/

CPE 2.3info

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CPE 2.2info

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