Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
ExifTool on macOS can be tricked by a malicious PNG file into running operating-system commands when handling certain metadata. This matters for organizations that automatically process uploaded images, email attachments, media libraries, or user-supplied files. Public disclosure and proof-of-concept availability raise urgency, but the provided sources do not show confirmed active exploitation.
Executive priority
Prioritize remediation for macOS systems that automatically process outside images. The business risk is unauthorized command execution through a file-processing path, which can affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Upgrade is available, so patching should be scheduled urgently for exposed workflows.
Technical view
CVE-2026-3102 affects ExifTool through 13.49 on macOS in lib/Image/ExifTool/MacOS.pm, function SetMacOSTags, during PNG parsing. Manipulation of the DateTimeOriginal argument can cause OS command injection, mapped to CWE-77 and CWE-78. The source bundle lists CVSS 2.0 score 7.5 and says version 13.50 / commit e9609a9 addresses the issue.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most likely where ExifTool runs on macOS and processes untrusted PNG files, including upload pipelines, DAM systems, forensic workflows, CI jobs, helpdesk attachments, or automated metadata extraction services. Non-macOS use is not described as affected in the provided sources.
Exploitation context
The source bundle states remote exploitation is possible and that an exploit has been publicly disclosed. It does not provide CISA KEV status or another cited source confirming active exploitation. Treat internet-facing or user-upload image processing as higher priority.
Researcher notes
The provided affected-version list includes 13.50, but the description and patch references say 13.50 fixes the issue. Treat that as a source inconsistency and validate against the upstream release and commit. Avoid assuming impact outside macOS or outside PNG SetMacOSTags handling without additional evidence.
Mitigation direction
- Upgrade ExifTool to version 13.50 or later per the cited release guidance.
- Confirm the patched commit e9609a9 is present if using source builds.
- Restrict or sandbox ExifTool processing of untrusted PNG files until upgraded.
- Review vendor/project guidance for any additional macOS-specific recommendations.
- Prioritize systems accepting files from external users or automated feeds.
Validation and detection
- Inventory macOS hosts and services that invoke ExifTool.
- Check installed ExifTool versions; flag 13.49 and earlier as affected.
- Identify workflows that process untrusted PNG files or metadata automatically.
- Verify upgrade to 13.50 or patched source commit e9609a9.
- Review logs around image processing failures or unexpected child processes.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CWE-77: Command execution behavior lookup
Command injection weaknesses can lead defenders to review execution techniques and command interpreter telemetry. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCWE-78: Command execution behavior lookup
Command injection weaknesses can lead defenders to review execution techniques and command interpreter telemetry. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupExecution behavior lookup
The CVE wording references code or command execution, so execution technique review may help defensive triage. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2026-3102 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- High
- CVSS
- 7.5 (2.0)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P/E:POC/RL:OF/RC:C
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P/E:POC/RL:OF/RC:C106.4Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 2.0 score
7.5HighVector: AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P/E:POC/RL:OF/RC:C
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- VDB-347528 | exiftool PNG File MacOS.pm SetMacOSTags os command injectionCVE reference · vdb-entry, technical-description
- VDB-347528 | CTI Indicators (IOB, IOC, TTP, IOA)CVE reference · signature, permissions-required
- Submit #758146 | Exiftool 13.49 Arbitrary Code ExecutionCVE reference · third-party-advisory
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akk0vmilfb4CVE reference · media-coverage
- https://github.com/exiftool/exiftool/commit/e9609a9bcc0d32bd252a709a562fb822d6dd86f7CVE reference · patch
- https://github.com/exiftool/exiftool/releases/tag/13.50CVE reference · patch
- https://github.com/exiftool/exiftool/CVE reference · product
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection')
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection') represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection') represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.