CVE-2026-53496

ExifReader HEIC/AVIF ISO-BMFF parser throws uncaught RangeError on truncated boxes

Published Sep 14, 2026 CVSS 3.1 · 5.3 Medium EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
ExifReader is a JavaScript Exif information parser. Prior to 4.40.1, ExifReader.load() and the asynchronous file and URL loaders can pass attacker-supplied HEIC or AVIF data to the ISO-BMFF parser in src/image-header-iso-bmff.js, where findMetaBox() and parseBox() accept an eight-byte box header without confirming that fields required by the parsed box remain in the DataView. A valid ftyp box followed by an empty free or unknown box can cause an unchecked full-box version read, while a truncated extended-size box can make getBoxLength() and hasEmptyHighBits() read absent size fields. The resulting RangeError escapes the main parsing path and can abort an application request or worker when parse errors are not defensively caught, causing denial of service. This issue is fixed in version 4.40.1.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record

Tracking

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Advisories

Source ID Title
Github GHSA Github GHSA GHSA-g77h-45rf-hcx4 ExifReader HEIC/AVIF ISO-BMFF parser throws uncaught RangeError on truncated boxes
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Mattiasw
Mattiasw exifreader
Vendors & Products Mattiasw
Mattiasw exifreader
Type Values Removed Values Added
Description ExifReader is a JavaScript Exif information parser. Prior to 4.40.1, ExifReader.load() and the asynchronous file and URL loaders can pass attacker-supplied HEIC or AVIF data to the ISO-BMFF parser in src/image-header-iso-bmff.js, where findMetaBox() and parseBox() accept an eight-byte box header without confirming that fields required by the parsed box remain in the DataView. A valid ftyp box followed by an empty free or unknown box can cause an unchecked full-box version read, while a truncated extended-size box can make getBoxLength() and hasEmptyHighBits() read absent size fields. The resulting RangeError escapes the main parsing path and can abort an application request or worker when parse errors are not defensively caught, causing denial of service. This issue is fixed in version 4.40.1.
Title ExifReader HEIC/AVIF ISO-BMFF parser throws uncaught RangeError on truncated boxes
Weaknesses CWE-248
CWE-755
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 5.3, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:L'}

ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'yes', 'Exploitation': 'poc', 'Technical Impact': 'partial'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
GitHub_M
Published
Updated
Sep 14, 2026, 6:52 PM
Reserved
Jun 9, 2026, 5:05 PM
Status
Awaiting Analysis
Published
Sep 14, 2026, 5:17 PM
Modified
Sep 30, 2026, 7:38 PM