ExifReader HEIC/AVIF ISO-BMFF parser throws uncaught RangeError on truncated boxes
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Network
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- Denial of service
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- None · None · Low
- Fix status
- Fixed
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · CNA. Fix status from CNA and GitHub. Impact type from CWE-248.
Summary
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.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3
- Exploitation
- Poc
- Automatable
- Yes
- Technical impact
- Partial
The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| mattiasw | ExifReader | before 4.40.1 | 4.40.1 | Patch available | CNA |
| — | exifreader (npm) | before 4.40.1 | 4.40.1 | Patch available | GHSA-g77h-45rf-hcx4 |
- ExifReader Vendormattiasw Affected before 4.40.1 Fixed in 4.40.1 Patch available CNA
- exifreader (npm) Vendor— Affected before 4.40.1 Fixed in 4.40.1 Patch available GHSA-g77h-45rf-hcx4
Remediation
- Fix · CNA ExifReader (mattiasw) Fixed in 4.40.1
- Fix · GHSA-g77h-45rf-hcx4 exifreader (npm) Fixed in 4.40.1 Advisory →
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2026-53496
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-g77h-45rf-hcx4
References
More mattiasw vulnerabilities
- TI-2026-58819 ExifReader: DoS via Crafted HEIC/AVIF iloc Box - Memory Exhaustion CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.5
Sources
- CVE-2026-53496 · CVE Program
- CVE-2026-53496 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-g77h-45rf-hcx4 · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences