CVE-2026-13708

CVE-2026-13708 is a high-severity vulnerability with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-401.

Key facts

Description

Imager::File::JPEG versions before 1.003 for Perl leak heap memory when reading a JPEG with repeated APP13 markers in i_readjpeg_wiol. i_readjpeg_wiol walks the marker list libjpeg returns and, for each APP13 marker, allocates a new buffer with *iptc_itext = mymalloc(...) and overwrites the previous pointer without freeing it. Only the final payload is later turned into a Perl scalar and freed, so a JPEG with N such markers leaks the first N-1 payloads on every read. In a long-lived process, such as an upload or thumbnailing service, repeated reads accumulate these leaks and exhaust available memory, a denial of service. The same handler ships bundled in the Imager distribution, where versions before 1.032 are affected and the fix ships in 1.032.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2026-13708?
Imager::File::JPEG versions before 1.003 for Perl leak heap memory when reading a JPEG with repeated APP13 markers in i_readjpeg_wiol. i_readjpeg_wiol walks the marker list libjpeg returns and, for each APP13 marker, allocates a new buffer with *iptc_itext = mymalloc(...) and overwrites the previous pointer without freeing it. Only the final payload is later turned into a Perl scalar and freed, so a JPEG with N such markers leaks the first N-1 payloads on every read. In a long-lived process, such as an upload or thumbnailing service, repeated reads accumulate these leaks and exhaust available memory, a denial of service. The same handler ships bundled in the Imager distribution, where versions before 1.032 are affected and the fix ships in 1.032.
How severe is CVE-2026-13708?
CVE-2026-13708 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity none, and availability high.
Is CVE-2026-13708 being actively exploited?
It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (30th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
How do I fix CVE-2026-13708?
Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2026-13708 published?
CVE-2026-13708 was published on 2026-07-06.

References

Other CWE-401 (Missing Release of Memory after Effective Lifetime) vulnerabilities

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