CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2026-13708NVD status: Deferred

Imager::File::JPEG: Missing Release of Memory after Effective Lifetime

Published Updated By the CyberSecBulletin desk

CVE-2026-13708 is a high-severity missing release of memory after effective lifetime vulnerability in Imager::File::JPEG from TONYC, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.5 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. The record lists version 1.003 as the first without the flaw, so updating Imager::File::JPEG to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.61% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.

Next patch cycle

High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.

What to do

  1. Update Imager::File::JPEG to 1.003 or a later version.
  2. Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
TONYCImager::File::JPEGbefore 1.0031.003

Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.

How the severity score breaks down

Attack vector
NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
Attack complexity
LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
Privileges required
NoneNo account or login is needed.
User interaction
NoneNo action by a victim is required.
Scope
UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
Confidentiality
NoneNo data is disclosed.
Integrity
NoneNothing can be modified.
Availability
HighThe component can be taken down completely.

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H. Scored by CISA (ADP).

Official description

Imager::File::JPEG versions before 1.003 for Perl leak heap memory when reading a JPEG with repeated APP13 markers in i_readjpeg_wiol. i_readjpeg_wiol walks the marker list libjpeg returns and, for each APP13 marker, allocates a new buffer with *iptc_itext = mymalloc(...) and overwrites the previous pointer without freeing it. Only the final payload is later turned into a Perl scalar and freed, so a JPEG with N such markers leaks the first N-1 payloads on every read. In a long-lived process, such as an upload or thumbnailing service, repeated reads accumulate these leaks and exhaust available memory, a denial of service. The same handler ships bundled in the Imager distribution, where versions before 1.032 are affected and the fix ships in 1.032.

Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.

The underlying weakness: Missing Release of Memory after Effective Lifetime

The product does not sufficiently track and release allocated memory after it has been used, making the memory unavailable for reallocation and reuse.

How developers prevent this class of flaw

  • Choose a language or tool that provides automatic memory management, or makes manual memory management less error-prone. For example, glibc in Linux provides protection against free of invalid pointers. When using Xcode to target OS X or iOS, enable automatic reference counting (ARC). To help correctly and consistently manage memory when programming in C++, consider using a smart pointer class such as std
  • Use an abstraction library to abstract away risky APIs. Not a complete solution.
  • Consider using the Boehm-Demers-Weiser garbage collector (bdwgc), which can help avoid leaks.

More Missing Release of Memory after Effective Lifetime vulnerabilities (CWE-401)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: yes, technical impact: partial).
  3. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Recent Missing Release of Memory after Effective Lifetime vulnerabilities

Spotted an error? Tell us.