CVE-2026-34379: OpenEXR has a misaligned write in LossyDctDecoder_execute leading to undefined behavior (DWA/DWAB decompression)
OpenEXR provides the specification and reference implementation of the EXR file format, an image storage format for the motion picture industry. From 3.2.0 to before 3.2.7, 3.3.9, and 3.4.9, a misaligned memory write vulnerability exists in LossyDctDecoderexecute() in src/lib/OpenEXRCore/internaldwadecoder.h:749. When decoding a DWA or DWAB-compressed EXR file containing a FLOAT-type channel, the decoder performs an in-place HALF→FLOAT conversion by casting an unaligned uint8t row pointer to float and writing through it. Because the row buffer may not be 4-byte aligned, this constitutes undefined behavior under the C standard and crashes immediately on architectures that enforce alignment (ARM, RISC-V, etc.). On x86 it is silently tolerated at runtime but remains exploitable via compiler optimizations that assume aligned access. This vulnerability is fixed in 3.2.7, 3.3.9, and 3.4.9.
Affected Software
Remediation
Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.
- Upgrade
Upgrade
OpenEXRto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 3.2.7 - Upgrade
Upgrade
OpenEXRto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 3.3.9 - Upgrade
Upgrade
OpenEXRto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 3.4.9
Event History
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the severity of CVE-2026-34379?
CVE-2026-34379 is classified as having a high severity due to the potential for undefined behavior in the LossyDctDecoder_execute.
How do I fix CVE-2026-34379?
To fix CVE-2026-34379, update OpenEXR to version 3.2.7, 3.3.9, or later versions.
What vulnerability does CVE-2026-34379 address?
CVE-2026-34379 addresses a misaligned write issue in the LossyDctDecoder_execute function.
Which versions of OpenEXR are affected by CVE-2026-34379?
OpenEXR versions from 3.2.0 to before 3.2.7, 3.3.0 to before 3.3.9, and 3.4.0 to before 3.4.9 are affected by CVE-2026-34379.
What can happen if CVE-2026-34379 is exploited?
Exploitation of CVE-2026-34379 could lead to undefined behavior, which may result in application crashes or unpredictable results.