CVE-2019-14493: PYSEC-2026-718 - NULL Pointer Dereference in OpenCV.

CVE-2019-14493 · Severity: low · CVSS 3 · Published 2026-07-02

OpenCV is a widely-used computer vision library that processes images and video. A NULL pointer dereference vulnerability in its XML file parser can cause applications using OpenCV to crash when processing malformed XML files, resulting in denial of service.

Technologies: opencv-contrib-python (PyPI), opencv-contrib-python-headless (PyPI), opencv-python (PyPI), opencv-python-headless (PyPI). Vendors: PyPI.

Quick answers

Is CVE-2019-14493 exploited in the wild?
No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2019-14493 being exploited in the wild.
How severe is CVE-2019-14493?
Low severity, with a CVSS score of 3, published 2 July 2026.
Which products and versions are affected?
opencv-contrib-python (PyPI) ECOSYSTEM:introduced=0,fixed=4.1.1.26; opencv-contrib-python-headless (PyPI) ECOSYSTEM:introduced=0,fixed=4.1.1.26; opencv-python (PyPI) ECOSYSTEM:introduced=0,fixed=4.1.1.26; opencv-python-headless (PyPI) ECOSYSTEM:introduced=0,fixed=4.1.1.26.
Is there a fix for CVE-2019-14493?
Yes. opencv-contrib-python (PyPI): upgrade to 4.1.1.26 or later; opencv-contrib-python-headless (PyPI): upgrade to 4.1.1.26 or later; opencv-python (PyPI): upgrade to 4.1.1.26 or later; opencv-python-headless (PyPI): upgrade to 4.1.1.26 or later. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.
How is CVE-2019-14493 attacked?
It is attacked over the network.
Am I affected by CVE-2019-14493?
Check whether you run opencv-contrib-python (PyPI), opencv-contrib-python-headless (PyPI), opencv-python (PyPI) or one of the others listed at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

How to fix

  • opencv-contrib-python (PyPI): upgrade to 4.1.1.26 or later
    pip install "opencv-contrib-python>=4.1.1.26"
  • opencv-contrib-python-headless (PyPI): upgrade to 4.1.1.26 or later
    pip install "opencv-contrib-python-headless>=4.1.1.26"
  • opencv-python (PyPI): upgrade to 4.1.1.26 or later
    pip install "opencv-python>=4.1.1.26"
  • opencv-python-headless (PyPI): upgrade to 4.1.1.26 or later
    pip install "opencv-python-headless>=4.1.1.26"

Technical details

This vulnerability is a NULL pointer dereference (CWE-476) in the cv::XMLParser::parse function within the XML persistence module (persistence_xml.cpp). The vulnerability occurs when the parser fails to properly validate pointer bounds during XML tag parsing, leading to dereferencing a null pointer. Exploitation requires supplying a malformed XML file to an application that uses OpenCV's FileStorage XML parsing functionality; no authentication or special privileges are required. An attacker can trigger an application crash, causing denial of service. The vulnerability affects OpenCV versions before 4.1.1, and a patch is available in version 4.1.1 and later.

Affected products

  • OpenCV opencv-python 3.4.0.14 through 4.1.0.25
  • OpenCV opencv-python-headless 3.4.3.18 through 4.1.0.25
  • OpenCV opencv-contrib-python 3.4.2.17 through 4.1.0.25
  • OpenCV opencv-contrib-python-headless 3.4.0.14 through 4.1.0.25

Identifiers

  • CVE-2019-14493
  • GHSA-3448-vrgh-85xr
  • PYSEC-2026-2795
  • PYSEC-2026-2806
  • PYSEC-2026-2834
  • PYSEC-2026-718

Timeline

  • 2019-07-23: disclosed: Vulnerability reported on GitHub issue #15127
  • 2019: patched: Fixed in OpenCV 4.1.1 and later
  • 2021-10-12: advisory: Published in GitHub Advisory Database as GHSA-3448-vrgh-85xr

References

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