CVE-2026-45696: OpenEXR is the reference implementation and specification for the EXR image format, widely used in the motion

Routine

MEDIUM 6.5UPGRADE

CVE-2026-45696 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 6.5) affecting openexr. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

OpenEXR is the reference implementation and specification for the EXR image format, widely used in the motion picture industry. In versions 3.4.0 through 3.4.11, the HTJ2K (High-Throughput JPEG 2000) decoder, ht_undo_impl() in OpenEXRCore is vulnerable to a heap-buffer-overflow READ. The ht_undo_imp function copies decoded pixels out of a per-line OpenJPH buffer using the EXR channel's declared width as the iteration count. The codestream embedd

Why this priority

Public exploit reference

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	6.5 (Medium)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.4% (top 64%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-122, CWE-125
Published	2026-06-18
Last modified	2026-10-25

Publisher (CNA): GitHub, Inc. · Vendor: openexr

Last updated 2026-10-25 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2026-06-18 21:16 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-10-25 23:10 UTCUpdated Record last modified

openexr openexr UPGRADE

Affected: >= 3.4.0 and < 3.4.12

Fixed in: 3.4.12

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 3.4.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy openexr || rpm -q openexr || openexr --version

2. UPGRADE to 3.4.12 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade openexr

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade openexr

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE to a release before 3.4.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison openexr sudo apt install openexr=<VERSION_BEFORE_3.4.0> sudo apt-mark hold openexr

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list openexr sudo dnf downgrade openexr-<VERSION_BEFORE_3.4.0> sudo dnf versionlock add openexr

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2026-45696?

openexr: upgrade to 3.4.12. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2026-45696 being exploited?

CVE-2026-45696 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2026-45696 affect?

CVE-2026-45696 affects openexr. Severity is medium (CVSS 6.5). OpenEXR is the reference implementation and specification for the EXR image format, widely used in the motion picture industry. In versions 3.4.0 through 3.4.11, the HTJ2K (High-Throughput JPEG 2000) decoder, ht_undo_impl() in OpenEXRCore i

How urgent is CVE-2026-45696?

Priority 37/100. Public exploit reference

Related CVEs

CVE-2026-34544 HIGH 7.3 UPGRADE OpenEXR provides the specification and reference implementation of the EXR file format, an image storage forma

References

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