# CVE-2023-39453: Use after free in ImageGear

> A use-after-free flaw in Accusoft ImageGear allows arbitrary code execution via a specially crafted malformed file.

- **Severity:** Critical 9.8 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 25 Sep 2023
- **Updated:** 4 Nov 2025
- **Also known as:** GHSA-9h69-jrqq-936c

## What is CVE-2023-39453?

CVE-2023-39453 is a critical use after free vulnerability in Accusoft Imagegear, published on 25 Sep 2023. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

A use-after-free vulnerability exists in the tif_parse_sub_IFD functionality of Accusoft ImageGear 20.1. A specially crafted malformed file can lead to arbitrary code execution. An attacker can deliver this file to trigger this vulnerability.

Weakness: CWE-416 (Use After Free)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2023-39453?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Accusoft Imagegear.

## How do I fix CVE-2023-39453?

No fix has been published for CVE-2023-39453 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2023-39453 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2023-39453 exists.

## Other vulnerabilities in Accusoft Imagegear

- [CVE-2023-32653](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-32653/): Memory corruption in ImageGear (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2023-35002](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-35002/): Memory corruption in ImageGear (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2023-40163](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-40163/): Memory corruption in ImageGear (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2022-32588](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2022-32588/): Memory corruption in ImageGear (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2022-22137](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2022-22137/): Memory corruption in ImageGear (critical 9.8)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2023-39453 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2023-39453 is a critical use after free vulnerability in Accusoft Imagegear, published on 25 Sep 2023. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2023-39453 exists.

Affected product: Accusoft Imagegear. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-39453/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-39453/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2023-39453
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-39453
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2023-39453

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-39453/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.