📄 Description (English)
OpenEXR provides the specification and reference implementation of the EXR file format, an image storage format for the motion picture industry. From version 3.4.0 to before version 3.4.7, an attacker providing a crafted .exr file with HTJ2K compression and a channel width of 32768 can write controlled data beyond the output heap buffer in any application that decodes EXR images. The write primitive is 2 bytes per overflow iteration or 4 bytes (by another path), repeating for each additional pixel past the overflow point. In this context, a heap write overflow can lead to remote code execution on systems. This issue has been patched in version 3.4.7.
🤖 AI Executive Summary
OpenEXR versions 3.4.0-3.4.6 contain a critical heap buffer overflow vulnerability in HTJ2K compression handling that allows remote code execution through crafted .exr files. An attacker can write controlled data beyond allocated heap buffers by exploiting specific channel width parameters, potentially achieving code execution on vulnerable systems. This vulnerability affects any application processing EXR images, including media production software and image processing pipelines commonly used in Saudi organizations.
📄 Description (Arabic)
🤖 AI Intelligence Analysis Analyzed: May 5, 2026 22:17
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia Impact Assessment
This vulnerability primarily impacts Saudi organizations in media and entertainment production, visual effects studios, and broadcasting companies that utilize OpenEXR for professional image processing. Government agencies using EXR in geospatial analysis and satellite imagery processing are at risk. Energy sector organizations (ARAMCO and subsidiaries) using EXR in visualization and simulation tools face potential compromise. Healthcare institutions employing medical imaging software that may incorporate OpenEXR libraries are vulnerable. The vulnerability enables remote code execution, allowing attackers to establish persistence, exfiltrate sensitive data, or disrupt critical production workflows.
🏢 Affected Saudi Sectors
Media and Entertainment
Broadcasting and Television
Visual Effects and Animation Studios
Government (Geospatial Analysis)
Energy (ARAMCO and subsidiaries)
Healthcare (Medical Imaging)
Telecommunications
Research and Development
🎯 MITRE ATT&CK Techniques
⚖️ Saudi Risk Score (AI)
8.2
/ 10.0
🔧 Remediation Steps (English)
IMMEDIATE ACTIONS:
1. Identify all systems and applications using OpenEXR library versions 3.4.0 through 3.4.6
2. Restrict processing of .exr files from untrusted sources until patching is complete
3. Implement network segmentation to isolate systems processing EXR files
4. Monitor for suspicious process execution following EXR file processing
PATCHING GUIDANCE:
1. Upgrade OpenEXR to version 3.4.7 or later immediately
2. For applications embedding OpenEXR, contact vendors for patched versions
3. Verify patch application by checking library version: exrheader -v should show 3.4.7+
4. Test patched applications with known-good EXR files before production deployment
COMPENSATING CONTROLS (if immediate patching unavailable):
1. Disable HTJ2K compression support in OpenEXR configuration if possible
2. Implement file validation: reject .exr files with channel width of 32768
3. Run EXR processing in sandboxed environments with restricted privileges
4. Use application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized code execution
DETECTION RULES:
1. Monitor for .exr file processing with HTJ2K compression headers
2. Alert on heap corruption or buffer overflow exceptions in image processing applications
3. Track OpenEXR library loading and version in running processes
4. Monitor for unexpected child process spawning from media processing applications
5. Log all .exr file access attempts, especially from external sources
🔧 خطوات المعالجة (العربية)
الإجراءات الفورية:
1. تحديد جميع الأنظمة والتطبيقات التي تستخدم مكتبة OpenEXR الإصدارات 3.4.0 إلى 3.4.6
2. تقييد معالجة ملفات .exr من مصادر غير موثوقة حتى اكتمال التصحيح
3. تنفيذ تقسيم الشبكة لعزل الأنظمة التي تعالج ملفات EXR
4. مراقبة تنفيذ العمليات المريبة بعد معالجة ملف EXR
إرشادات التصحيح:
1. ترقية OpenEXR إلى الإصدار 3.4.7 أو أحدث فوراً
2. للتطبيقات التي تضمن OpenEXR، اتصل بالبائعين للحصول على إصدارات مصححة
3. التحقق من تطبيق التصحيح بفحص إصدار المكتبة: exrheader -v يجب أن يظهر 3.4.7+
4. اختبار التطبيقات المصححة بملفات EXR معروفة قبل نشر الإنتاج
الضوابط البديلة (إذا كان التصحيح الفوري غير متاح):
1. تعطيل دعم ضغط HTJ2K في تكوين OpenEXR إن أمكن
2. تنفيذ التحقق من الملفات: رفض ملفات .exr بعرض قناة 32768
3. تشغيل معالجة EXR في بيئات معزولة برامج بامتيازات محدودة
4. استخدام قائمة بيضاء للتطبيقات لمنع تنفيذ التعليمات البرمجية غير المصرح بها
قواعد الكشف:
1. مراقبة معالجة ملفات .exr باستخدام رؤوس ضغط HTJ2K
2. تنبيه على تلف الكومة أو استثناءات تجاوز المخزن المؤقت في تطبيقات معالجة الصور
3. تتبع تحميل مكتبة OpenEXR والإصدار في العمليات الجارية
4. مراقبة توليد عملية فرعية غير متوقعة من تطبيقات معالجة الوسائط
5. تسجيل جميع محاولات الوصول إلى ملفات .exr، خاصة من مصادر خارجية
📋 Regulatory Compliance Mapping
🟢 NCA ECC 2024
ECC 2024 A.12.6.1 - Management of technical vulnerabilities
ECC 2024 A.14.2.1 - Secure development policy
ECC 2024 A.12.2.1 - Monitoring and logging of access to information
🔵 SAMA CSF
SAMA CSF ID.RA-1 - Asset Management and Inventory
SAMA CSF PR.IP-12 - Software Development and Quality Assurance
SAMA CSF DE.CM-1 - Detection and Analysis
🟡 ISO 27001:2022
ISO 27001:2022 A.12.6.1 - Management of technical vulnerabilities
ISO 27001:2022 A.14.2.1 - Secure development, test and acceptance of information systems
ISO 27001:2022 A.12.2.1 - Information and other assets associated with information processing facilities
🔗 References & Sources 3
🔗
https://github.com/AcademySoftwareFoundation/openexr/commit/3827998f5c041d6a94c6af24bbb...
security-advisories@github.com
Patch
🔗
https://github.com/AcademySoftwareFoundation/openexr/releases/tag/v3.4.7
security-advisories@github.com
Product
Release Notes
🔗
https://github.com/AcademySoftwareFoundation/openexr/security/advisories/GHSA-ghfj-fx47...
security-advisories@github.com
Exploit
Vendor Advisory
📦 Affected Products / CPE 1 entries
openexr:openexr