# CVE-2023-44398: PYSEC-2023-233 - Exiv2 is a C++ library and a command-line utility to read, write, delete and modify Exif, IPTC, XMP…

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2023-44398-pysec-2023-233-exiv2-is-a-c-library-and-a-command-line-utility-to  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2023-11-06  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2023-44398 · Severity: low · CVSS 3.1 · Published 2023-11-06

Exiv2 is a C++ library and a command-line utility to read, write, delete and modify Exif, IPTC, XMP and ICC image metadata. An out-of-bounds write was found in Exiv2 version v0.28.0. The vulnerable function, `BmffImage::brotliUncompress`, is new in v0.28.0, so earlier versions of Exiv2 are _not_ affected. The out-of-bounds write is triggered when Exiv2 is used to read the metadata of a crafted image file. An attacker could potentially exploit the vulnerability to gain code execution, if they can trick the victim into running Exiv2 on a crafted image file. This bug is fixed in version v0.28.1. Users are advised to upgrade. There are no known workarounds for this vulnerability.

Technologies: [exiv2 (PyPI)](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/exiv2). Vendors: [PyPI](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/pypi).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2023-44398 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2023-44398 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2023-44398?** Low severity, with a CVSS score of 3.1, published 6 November 2023.

**Which products and versions are affected?** exiv2 (PyPI) GIT:introduced=0,fixed=e884a0955359107f4031c74a07406df7e99929a5|ECOSYSTEM:introduced=0.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2023-44398?** No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.

**Am I affected by CVE-2023-44398?** Check whether you run exiv2 (PyPI) 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.

## Affected products

- exiv2 (PyPI) GIT:introduced=0,fixed=e884a0955359107f4031c74a07406df7e99929a5|ECOSYSTEM:introduced=0

## Identifiers

- CVE-2023-44398
- PYSEC-2023-233

## Related threats

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- [PYSEC-2026-1354 - Exiv2 Segmentation Faults in Exiv2::EpsImage::writeMetadata() via crafted EPS file](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2025-54080-exiv2-segmentation-faults-in-exiv2-epsimage-writemetadata-via)
- [PYSEC-2026-1353 - Exiv2 allows Use After Free](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2025-26623-exiv2-use-after-free-in-tiffsubifd)
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- [Exiv2 has an out-of-bounds read in QuickTimeVideo::NikonTagsDecoder](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2024-24826-exiv2-has-an-out-of-bounds-read-in-quicktimevideo)