REDHAT-BUG-2520579: Buffer Overflow

Published Aug 20, 2026
·
Updated

GIMP TIF File Parsing Heap-based Buffer Overflow Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of GIMP. User interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability in that the target must visit a malicious page or open a malicious file.

The specific flaw exists within the parsing of TIF files. The issue results from the lack of proper validation of the length of user-supplied data prior to copying it to a heap-based buffer. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current process. Was ZDI-CAN-29398.

Affected Software

1 affected component
GIMP GIMP

Remediation

Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.

  1. Compensating control

    Mitigate exploitation by preventing users from opening untrusted/unknown TIF files or visiting malicious pages (requires user interaction per ZDI-CAN-29398).

  2. Compensating control

    Apply compensating controls to reduce risk from remote code execution in GIMP (ZDI-CAN-29398) such as restricting access to open files from untrusted sources (e.g., email/web downloads) until the issue is remediated.

Event History

Aug 20, 2026
Data Sourced
via Red Hat·04:53 PM
DescriptionSeverityAffected Software

Frequently Asked Questions

1

What must an attacker do to exploit this issue?

The attacker must persuade a user to visit a malicious page or open a malicious TIF file. Exploitation occurs through GIMP's parsing of attacker-controlled TIF data.

2

What level of access could successful exploitation provide?

Successful exploitation can allow arbitrary code execution in the context of the current GIMP process. The resulting access is limited to the privileges of the user running GIMP.

3

Which file handling path is affected?

The vulnerability is in parsing TIF files, where GIMP does not properly validate the length of user-supplied data before copying it into a heap-based buffer.

Contact

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