GHSA-9v9v-9qvf-h2hj: Pip/Pillow vulnerability

Published Oct 22, 2026
·
Updated

Summary On Windows builds, Pillow stores EMF and WMF image dimensions without a range check and passes them to the native drawwmf handler. That code sizes its allocation from dimensions truncated into 16-bit header fields but copies the result using the full 32-bit dimensions. A crafted metafile that is wide and short passes the decompression-bomb pixel check yet causes a heap over-read.

Details The EMF branch computes the size straight from signed 32-bit header fields and stores it with no positivity or range check:

- src/PIL/WmfImagePlugin.py:121-129 reads the bounding box; :148 stores it; the size reaches the native handler through src/PIL/WmfImagePlugin.py:56.

In the native handler the DIB header fields bcWidth and bcHeight are 16-bit and truncate the allocation, while the copy length uses the untruncated ints:

- src/display.c:793-794 assign the 16-bit fields - src/display.c:800 sizes the allocation from them - src/display.c:827 copies height ((width 3 + 3) & -4) bytes using the full values

The whole handler is compiled only on Windows (#ifdef WIN32, src/display.c:33-841).

PoC python import struct from PIL import Image

def L(v): return struct.pack("<i", v)

Minimal EMF header. Bounding box is 70000 x 1, so the pixel count (70000) passes the decompression-bomb check, but the width truncates to 16 bits for the allocation while the copy uses 70000. emf = b"\x01\x00\x00\x00" + L(88) # record type + size emf += L(0) + L(0) + L(70000) + L(1) # rclBounds: x0, y0, x1, y1 emf += L(0) + L(0) + L(100) + L(100) # rclFrame (non-zero, used for the dpi calc) emf += b" EMF" # signature at offset 40 emf += bytes(44) open("poc.emf", "wb").write(emf)

im = Image.open("poc.emf") print("size:", im.size, "pixels:", im.size[0] im.size[1]) im.load() # over-read happens here on a Windows build

On Linux the first part is observable: the 88-byte file opens, size is (70000, 1), and the bomb check passes. The native over-read only exists on Windows because Image.core.drawwmf is compiled out elsewhere (on Linux im.load() raises OSError instead).

Impact CWE-125, out-of-bounds read in a C extension on Windows builds. A crafted EMF or WMF that passes the pixel check can read past a heap buffer, leaking memory or crashing the process.

Affected Software

1 affected componentFixes available
pip/Pillow<13.0.0
13.0.0

Remediation

Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.

  1. Upgrade

    Upgrade pip/Pillow to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 13.0.0

Event History

Oct 22, 2026
Advisory Published
via GitHub·04:03 PM
Data Sourced
via GitHub·04:03 PM
DescriptionWeaknessAffected Software

Frequently Asked Questions

1

Which environments are exposed?

The affected native metafile handler is compiled only on Windows. Exposure requires a Windows build of Pillow that processes EMF or WMF metafile input through that handler.

2

What does an attacker need to trigger the issue?

An attacker needs to cause the application to process a crafted metafile with dimensions that truncate in the handler's 16-bit header fields while retaining large 32-bit values for the copy operation. A wide, short metafile can pass the decompression-bomb pixel check and trigger the heap over-read.

Contact

SecAlerts Pty Ltd.
132 Wickham Terrace
Fortitude Valley,
QLD 4006, Australia
info@secalerts.co
By using SecAlerts services, you agree to our services end-user license agreement. This website is safeguarded by reCAPTCHA and governed by the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. All names, logos, and brands of products are owned by their respective owners, and any usage of these names, logos, and brands for identification purposes only does not imply endorsement. If you possess any content that requires removal, please get in touch with us.
© 2026 SecAlerts Pty Ltd.
ABN: 70 645 966 203, ACN: 645 966 203