CVE-2020-36138Network attack vector

Process crash via mixed TIFF tile-strip metadata

Published Aug 11, 2023 · Updated Oct 9, 2024

NULL pointer dereference in FFmpeg 4.3 TIFF decoding allows remote attackers to crash the decoding process with a crafted image. The decode_frame function accepts contradictory strip and tile metadata in a non-DNG TIFF and proceeds into incompatible decoding logic that dereferences a null pointer. Exploitation requires the target to decode the crafted TIFF and interrupts only the affected process, with no reported data disclosure or modification.

CVSS severity7.5
High
EPSS probability1.23%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

NULL pointer dereference in FFmpeg 4.3 TIFF decoding allows remote attackers to crash the decoding process with a crafted image. The decode_frame function accepts contradictory strip and tile metadata in a non-DNG TIFF and proceeds into incompatible decoding logic that dereferences a null pointer. Exploitation requires the target to decode the crafted TIFF and interrupts only the affected process, with no reported data disclosure or modification.

The record

CVE
CVE-2020-36138
Published
Aug 11, 2023
Updated
Oct 9, 2024
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
CWE-476, T1499.004
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Aug 11, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Oct 9, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Affected buildAffected product and version details are unavailable.

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.

Published CVSS scores

7.5NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

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No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-476NULL Pointer Dereference
T1499.004Endpoint Denial of Service: Application or System Exploitation

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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