OpenImageIO: Out-of-bounds Read
CVE-2026-43909 is a high-severity out-of-bounds read vulnerability in OpenImageIO from AcademySoftwareFoundation, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, but only if a user takes part, for example by opening a link or file. Affected OpenImageIO versions: < 3.0.18.0; >= 3.1.4.0-beta, < 3.1.13.0. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.37% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Check which version of OpenImageIO you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- Read the advisory on github.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
- Because the attack needs a user to take part, warn users about unexpected links and files related to this product until it is patched.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| AcademySoftwareFoundation | OpenImageIO | < 3.0.18.0; >= 3.1.4.0-beta, < 3.1.13.0 | Not stated |
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
- RequiredA user must take an action such as opening a file or link.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA (github.com).
Official description
OpenImageIO is a toolset for reading, writing, and manipulating image files of any image file format relevant to VFX / animation. Prior to 3.0.18.0 and 3.1.13.0, a signed 32-bit integer overflow in the loop index expression i * 4 inside SwapRGBABytes() causes the function to compute a large negative pointer offset when processing kABGR DPX images with large dimensions. The immediate crash is an out-of-bounds read (the memcpy at line 45 reads from &input[i * 4] first), but the subsequent write operations at lines 46–49 target the same wrapped offset — making this a combined OOB read+write primitive. This vulnerability is fixed in 3.0.18.0 and 3.1.13.0.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Out-of-bounds Read
The product reads data past the end, or before the beginning, of the intended buffer.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Use a language that provides appropriate memory abstractions.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: poc, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Advisories
Other vulnerabilities in OpenImageIO
- 7.6 High severity
- 8.3 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.3 High severity
Recent Out-of-bounds Read vulnerabilities
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.1 High severity
- 8.3 High severity
- 8.7 High severity
- 7.7 High severity
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