Description
Buffer overflow in the ImagingPcdDecode function in PcdDecode.c in Pillow before 3.1.1 and Python Imaging Library (PIL) 1.1.7 and earlier allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) via a crafted PhotoCD file.
Fixed in Linux distributions
Distributions backport fixes, so the version that fixes this vulnerability differs per release — upgrade to at least the version shown. From the distributions' security trackers and advisories.
Debian
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian 14 | pillow | 3.1.1-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | pillow | 3.1.1-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | pillow | 3.1.1-1 | — |
| Debian 8 | pillow | 2.6.1-2+deb8u2 | DSA-3499-1 |
| Debian 6.0 | python-imaging | 1.1.7-2+deb6u2 | DLA-422-1 |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 14.04 LTS | pillow | 2.3.0-1ubuntu3.2 | USN-3090-1 |
SUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUSE OpenStack Cloud 7 | python-Pillow | 2.8.1-4.9.1 | SUSE-SU-2019:2334-1 |
| SUSE Enterprise Storage 5 | python-Pillow | 2.8.1-3.6.1 | SUSE-SU-2020:1194-1 |
| SUSE Enterprise Storage 4 | python-Pillow | 2.8.1-4.9.1 | SUSE-SU-2019:2334-1 |
Amazon Linux
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon Linux 2 | python-pillow +4 | 2.0.0-23.gitd1c6db8.amzn2.0.16 | ALAS2-2025-2803 |
Affected packages
| Ecosystem | Package | Affected | Fixed | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PyPI | pillow | < 3.1.1 | 3.1.1 | GHSA-3c5c-7235-994j |
Advisories 7
- WID-SEC-2024-0426 Python: Mehrere Schwachstellen ermöglichen Denial of Service BSI CERT-Bund (WID) · Jul 14, 2026
- DLA-422-1 python-imaging - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- DSA-3499-1 pillow - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- USN-3090-1 Pillow vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Feb 10, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2020:1194-1 Security update for python-Pillow SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2019:2334-1 Security update for python-Pillow SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- ALAS2-2025-2803 Moderate: python-pillow security update (Amazon Linux 2) Amazon Linux Security Center (ALAS) · Mar 25, 2025
References
- GLSA-201612-52 vendor-advisory
- [oss-security] 20160222 Re: CVE Request -- Buffer overflow in Python-Pillow and PIL mailing-list
- https://github.com/python-pillow/Pillow/commit/5bdf54b5a76b54fb00bd05f2d733e0a4173eefc9#diff-8ff6909c159597e22288ad818938fd6b
- DSA-3499 vendor-advisory
- [oss-security] 20160202 CVE Request -- Buffer overflow in Python-Pillow and PIL mailing-list
- https://github.com/python-pillow/Pillow/commit/ae453aa18b66af54e7ff716f4ccb33adca60afd4#diff-8ff6909c159597e22288ad818938fd6b
- https://github.com/python-pillow/Pillow/pull/1706
- http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/topics/security/bulletinjan2016-2867206.html
- https://github.com/python-pillow/Pillow/blob/c3cb690fed5d4bf0c45576759de55d054916c165/CHANGES.rst