Description
Pillow is a Python imaging library. Prior to 13.0.0, the TarIO initializer in src/PIL/TarIO.py accepts a negative octal member size and computes a backward seek that returns to the same 512-byte header. When the requested member name does not match, the parser repeatedly reads that header, consumes a full CPU core, and never returns. TarIO is reached only when an application directly uses PIL.TarIO.TarIO rather than the default Image.open() path. This issue is fixed in version 13.0.0.
Affected products
python: pillow
References5
- github.com/python-pillow/Pillow/security/advisories/GHSA-3j72-p… Vendor Advisory
- github.com/python-pillow/Pillow/security/advisories/GHSA-3j72-p… Vendor Advisory
- github.com/python-pillow/Pillow/commit/19b695fdcc5eddc37374e2b1… Patch
- github.com/python-pillow/Pillow/pull/10012 Issue Tracking
- github.com/python-pillow/Pillow/releases/tag/13.0.0 Release Notes
Metrics
- CVSS 3.1
-
6.5
MEDIUM
Score source: NVD
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H - CVSS 4.0
-
7.1
HIGH
Score source: CNA
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:P/VC:N/VI:N/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X - EPSS — exploit probability
- 0% percentile: 28 · as of 8 November 2026
- CWE
- CWE-835
Could this be exploited in your environment?
A patch closes the known hole. A penetration test shows what an attacker can still reach — with proof.