CVE-2026-28231
pillow_heif Has Integer Overflow in Encode Path Buffer Validation that Leads to Heap Out-of-Bounds Read
Description
pillow_heif is a Python library for working with HEIF images and plugin for Pillow. Prior to version 1.3.0, an integer overflow in the encode path buffer validation of `_pillow_heif.c` allows an attacker to bypass bounds checks by providing large image dimensions, resulting in a heap out-of-bounds read. This can lead to information disclosure (server heap memory leaking into encoded images) or denial of service (process crash). No special configuration is required — this triggers under default settings. Version 1.3.0 fixes the issue.
INFO
Published Date :
Feb. 27, 2026, 8:21 p.m.
Last Modified :
March 4, 2026, 3:55 p.m.
Remotely Exploit :
Yes !
Source :
[email protected]
CVSS Scores
| Score | Version | Severity | Vector | Exploitability Score | Impact Score | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | CRITICAL | [email protected] | ||||
| CVSS 4.0 | MEDIUM | [email protected] |
Solution
- Update pillow_heif to version 1.3.0 or later.
- Apply security patches from the vendor.
References to Advisories, Solutions, and Tools
Here, you will find a curated list of external links that provide in-depth
information, practical solutions, and valuable tools related to
CVE-2026-28231.
| URL | Resource |
|---|---|
| https://github.com/bigcat88/pillow_heif/commit/8305a15d3780c533b762578cbe987d27a2c59c7a | Patch |
| https://github.com/bigcat88/pillow_heif/releases/tag/v1.3.0 | Product Release Notes |
| https://github.com/bigcat88/pillow_heif/security/advisories/GHSA-5gjj-6r7v-ph3x | Exploit Mitigation Vendor Advisory |
CWE - Common Weakness Enumeration
While CVE identifies
specific instances of vulnerabilities, CWE categorizes the common flaws or
weaknesses that can lead to vulnerabilities. CVE-2026-28231 is
associated with the following CWEs:
Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC)
Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification
(CAPEC)
stores attack patterns, which are descriptions of the common attributes and
approaches employed by adversaries to exploit the CVE-2026-28231
weaknesses.
We scan GitHub repositories to detect new proof-of-concept exploits. Following list is a collection of public exploits and proof-of-concepts, which have been published on GitHub (sorted by the most recently updated).
Results are limited to the first 15 repositories due to potential performance issues.
The following list is the news that have been mention
CVE-2026-28231 vulnerability anywhere in the article.
The following table lists the changes that have been made to the
CVE-2026-28231 vulnerability over time.
Vulnerability history details can be useful for understanding the evolution of a vulnerability, and for identifying the most recent changes that may impact the vulnerability's severity, exploitability, or other characteristics.
-
Initial Analysis by [email protected]
Mar. 04, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added CVSS V3.1 AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:H Added CPE Configuration OR *cpe:2.3:a:bigcat88:pillow-heif:*:*:*:*:*:python:*:* versions up to (excluding) 1.3.0 Added Reference Type GitHub, Inc.: https://github.com/bigcat88/pillow_heif/commit/8305a15d3780c533b762578cbe987d27a2c59c7a Types: Patch Added Reference Type GitHub, Inc.: https://github.com/bigcat88/pillow_heif/releases/tag/v1.3.0 Types: Product, Release Notes Added Reference Type GitHub, Inc.: https://github.com/bigcat88/pillow_heif/security/advisories/GHSA-5gjj-6r7v-ph3x Types: Exploit, Mitigation, Vendor Advisory -
New CVE Received by [email protected]
Feb. 27, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added Description pillow_heif is a Python library for working with HEIF images and plugin for Pillow. Prior to version 1.3.0, an integer overflow in the encode path buffer validation of `_pillow_heif.c` allows an attacker to bypass bounds checks by providing large image dimensions, resulting in a heap out-of-bounds read. This can lead to information disclosure (server heap memory leaking into encoded images) or denial of service (process crash). No special configuration is required — this triggers under default settings. Version 1.3.0 fixes the issue. Added CVSS V4.0 AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:N/VI:N/VA:L/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:P/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X Added CWE CWE-125 Added CWE CWE-190 Added Reference https://github.com/bigcat88/pillow_heif/commit/8305a15d3780c533b762578cbe987d27a2c59c7a Added Reference https://github.com/bigcat88/pillow_heif/releases/tag/v1.3.0 Added Reference https://github.com/bigcat88/pillow_heif/security/advisories/GHSA-5gjj-6r7v-ph3x