# CVE-2026-35590: libvips null pointer dereference in EXIF decoder

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-35590-libvips-null-pointer-dereference-in-exif-decoder  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-07-20. Updated: 2026-07-20  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-35590 · Severity: info · CVSS 6.8 · Published 2026-07-20

libvips is a high-performance image processing library used by many applications to handle image resizing and metadata. A flaw in how it processes image metadata (EXIF tags) could allow an attacker to crash the application. This results in a denial-of-service, potentially disrupting services that rely on the library for automated image handling.

Technologies: [Libvips](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/libvips). Vendors: [Libvips](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/libvips).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-35590 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-35590 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-35590?** Informational severity, with a CVSS score of 6.8, published 20 July 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Libvips <= 8.18.1.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-35590?** A patch was published on 2026-03-26: Fix merged into 8.18 branch Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-35590 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in a software library.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-35590?** Check whether you run Libvips 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.

## Technical details

A vulnerability exists in the EXIF decoder of libvips due to insufficient range validation of EXIF tag groups (ifdN) before passing data to libexif. This lack of validation can lead to a null pointer dereference or a heap-based buffer overflow when processing specially crafted EXIF metadata. An attacker with local access could exploit this to cause a denial-of-service (crash) of the application using the library. The issue is addressed in libvips version 8.18.2 by adding proper range checks in the exif.c component.

## Affected products

- libvips libvips <= 8.18.1

## Timeline

- 2026-03-26: patched: Fix merged into 8.18 branch
- 2026-07-17: advisory: GitHub Security Advisory published
- 2026-07-20: disclosed: CVE published to NVD

## References

- [https://github.com/libvips/libvips/commit/91ebd4d35341a8353ea490392d556d582e4b846f](https://github.com/libvips/libvips/commit/91ebd4d35341a8353ea490392d556d582e4b846f)
- [https://github.com/libvips/libvips/pull/4972](https://github.com/libvips/libvips/pull/4972)
- [https://github.com/libvips/libvips/security/advisories/GHSA-jmwm-wc68-mhwm](https://github.com/libvips/libvips/security/advisories/GHSA-jmwm-wc68-mhwm)

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