# CVE-2026-88384: OpenEXR null pointer dereference in attribute parsing

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-88384-openexr-3-4-14-contains-a-null-pointer-dereference-in-the-c  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-09-24. Updated: 2026-09-26  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-88384 · Severity: medium · CVSS 5.5 · Published 2026-09-24

OpenEXR is a library that processes image files in the EXR format, used by graphics and animation software. A crafted EXR file can trigger a crash in applications using OpenEXR 3.4.14, causing a denial of service. An attacker could exploit this by distributing a malicious image file that crashes any tool attempting to open it.

Technologies: [Academy Software Foundation OpenEXR](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/academy-software-foundation-openexr). Vendors: [Academy Software Foundation](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/academy-software-foundation).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-88384 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-88384 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-88384?** Medium severity, with a CVSS score of 5.5, published 24 September 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Academy Software Foundation OpenEXR 3.4.14.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-88384?** A patch was published on 2026-09-01. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-88384 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in a software library.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-88384?** Check whether you run Academy Software Foundation OpenEXR 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 null pointer dereference vulnerability exists in the C++ attribute parsing code when processing an unknown-type attribute with dataSize set to zero. The OpaqueAttribute constructor passes a null pointer directly to memcpy() without validation, resulting in undefined behavior and process termination. The vulnerability requires parsing a specially crafted EXR file and is fixed by skipping the memcpy call when size is zero.

## Affected products

- Academy Software Foundation OpenEXR 3.4.14

## Timeline

- 2026-09-24: disclosed
- 2026-09-01: patched

## References

- [https://github.com/AcademySoftwareFoundation/openexr/issues/2612](https://github.com/AcademySoftwareFoundation/openexr/issues/2612)
- [https://github.com/AcademySoftwareFoundation/openexr/pull/2615](https://github.com/AcademySoftwareFoundation/openexr/pull/2615)