5.5
MEDIUM CVSS 4.0
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 :

Feb. 27, 2026, 8:21 p.m.

Remotely Exploit :

Yes !
Affected Products

The following products are affected by CVE-2026-28231 vulnerability. Even if cvefeed.io is aware of the exact versions of the products that are affected, the information is not represented in the table below.

No affected product recoded yet

CVSS Scores
The Common Vulnerability Scoring System is a standardized framework for assessing the severity of vulnerabilities in software and systems. We collect and displays CVSS scores from various sources for each CVE.
Score Version Severity Vector Exploitability Score Impact Score Source
CVSS 4.0 MEDIUM [email protected]
Solution
Update pillow_heif to version 1.3.0 or later to fix heap out-of-bounds read.
  • 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
https://github.com/bigcat88/pillow_heif/releases/tag/v1.3.0
https://github.com/bigcat88/pillow_heif/security/advisories/GHSA-5gjj-6r7v-ph3x
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.

  • 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
EPSS is a daily estimate of the probability of exploitation activity being observed over the next 30 days. Following chart shows the EPSS score history of the vulnerability.
Vulnerability Scoring Details
Base CVSS Score: 5.5
Attack Vector
Attack Complexity
Attack Requirements
Privileges Required
User Interaction
VS Confidentiality
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SS Confidentiality
SS Integrity
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