Gimp: integer overflow in pcx loader (planes=4) leads to heap overflow on 32-bit
GNOME · GIMP
7.0HighCVSS 3.1
Recommended action
Within 7 days
High technical severity with public exploit material referenced by a structured source; prioritise exposed affected systems while verifying vendor guidance.
Mitigation available
Distribution package intelligence
Ubuntu vendor package status
Canonical’s release and source-package findings are shown separately from local repository availability.
1 package state
Repository candidate not checked
A published vendor fix does not prove that a matching update is enabled and installable on a particular asset. Confirm the local package candidate before scheduling remediation.
Ubuntu release
Source package
Vendor state
Fixed version
Evidence
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSnoble · esm-apps
gimp
Under evaluationCanonical reports that the package might be affected and still needs evaluation or fixing.
Structured product status and remediation from the issuing vendor. Product-state explanations are always visible; large lists can be searched or downloaded.
1 current
CVE-2026-78465 · CSAF 2.0 · revision 3 · finalRed Hat Product Securitygimp: integer overflow in PCX loader (planes=4) leads to heap overflow on 32-bit
6 known affected
The vendor explicitly identifies these products as affected by this CVE.
gimp as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
gimp-devel as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
gimp-devel-tools as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
gimp-help-browser as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
gimp-libs as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
gimp.src as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
Summary
A flaw was found in the file-pcx plugin in GIMP, affecting 32-bit builds only. When processing a PCX image file, the plugin calculates memory allocation sizes based on the image dimensions and the number of color planes. If a crafted file sets the number of planes to 4 alongside sufficiently large dimensions, the calculation exceeds the 32-bit integer limit and overflows, resulting in an undersized heap-based buffer allocation. This integer overflow issue results in a heap-based buffer overflow when the plugin subsequently writes image data into the undersized buffer, causing memory corruption, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or a denial of service.
Remediation
To mitigate this vulnerability, do not open PCX files from untrusted sources with GIMP.
Optional official sources
National CERT insights ?CERT means Computer Emergency Response Team; CSIRT is the closely related term Computer Security Incident Response Team.
Select the national-authority views to include. The exact source language is shown on each matched advisory. Your choice is remembered on this device and encoded in the shareable URL.
Official European source
ENISA European Vulnerability Database
Official EUVD identifiers, advisory evidence and known-exploited context. Missing fields are not treated as evidence of low risk.
1 current
ENISA EUVD identifier
EUVD-2026-64935
No EUVD known-exploited evidence
A flaw was found in the file-pcx plugin in GIMP, affecting 32-bit builds only. When processing a PCX image file, the plugin calculates memory allocation sizes based on the image dimensions and the number of color planes. If a crafted file sets the number of planes to 4 alongside sufficiently large dimensions, the calculation exceeds the 32-bit integer limit and overflows, resulting in an undersized heap-based buffer allocation. This integer overflow issue results in a heap-based buffer overflow when the plugin subsequently writes image data into the undersized buffer, causing memory corruption, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or a denial of service.
EUVD state
Present in the current official mapping
Known exploitation
Not present in the current ENISA EUVD known-exploited dataset. This is not proof of no exploitation.
ENISA score
7.0 · CVSS 3.1
Advisory evidence
No linked advisory details stored yet
Recommended actionWithin 7 days
High technical severity with public exploit material referenced by a structured source; prioritise exposed affected systems while verifying vendor guidance.
Mitigation available
01
What, why and how
A flaw was found in the file-pcx plugin in GIMP, affecting 32-bit builds only. When processing a PCX image file, the plugin calculates memory allocation sizes based on the image dimensions and the number of color planes. If a crafted file sets the number of planes to 4 alongside sufficiently large dimensions, the calculation exceeds the 32-bit integer limit and overflows, resulting in an undersized heap-based buffer allocation. This integer overflow issue results in a heap-based buffer overflow when the plugin subsequently writes image data into the undersized buffer, causing memory corruption, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or a denial of service.
What
A flaw was found in the file-pcx plugin in GIMP, affecting 32-bit builds only. When processing a PCX image file, the plugin calculates memory allocation sizes based on the image dimensions and the number of color planes. If a crafted file sets the number of planes to 4 alongside sufficiently large dimensions, the calculation exceeds the 32-bit integer limit and overflows, resulting in an undersized heap-based buffer allocation. This integer overflow issue results in a heap-based buffer overflow when the plugin subsequently writes image data into the undersized buffer, causing memory corruption, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or a denial of service.
Why
The product performs a calculation that can produce an integer overflow or wraparound when the logic assumes that the resulting value will always be larger than the original value. This occurs when an integer value is incremented to a value that is too large to store in the associated representation. When this occurs, the value may become a very small or negative number.
How
An attacker operating through local access may attempt exploitation without authentication after a user interaction. If successful, the issue may execute code or commands in the affected security context.
What
A flaw was found in the file-pcx plugin in GIMP, affecting 32-bit builds only. When processing a PCX image file, the plugin calculates memory allocation sizes based on the image dimensions and the number of color planes. If a crafted file sets the number of planes to 4 alongside sufficiently large dimensions, the calculation exceeds the 32-bit integer limit and overflows, resulting in an undersized heap-based buffer allocation. This integer overflow issue results in a heap-based buffer overflow when the plugin subsequently writes image data into the undersized buffer, causing memory corruption, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or a denial of service.
Why
The product performs a calculation that can produce an integer overflow or wraparound when the logic assumes that the resulting value will always be larger than the original value. This occurs when an integer value is incremented to a value that is too large to store in the associated representation. When this occurs, the value may become a very small or negative number.
How
An attacker operating through local access may attempt exploitation without authentication after a user interaction. If successful, the issue may execute code or commands in the affected security context.
02
Exploit reality and attack path
CVSS severity, EPSS forecast probability, public exploit material and CISA-confirmed exploitation are separate signals.
Observed exploitation ?Confirmed exploitation and public exploit material are separate signals. Attacks can occur without public proof-of-concept or exploit code.No confirmed evidence
No CISA KEV match was present at the last successful refresh. This means no confirmation from that source, not proof of no exploitation.
Public PoC / exploit material ?Confirmed exploitation and public exploit material are separate signals. Attacks can occur without public proof-of-concept or exploit code.Reference recorded
A structured CVE source labels at least one public reference as exploit material. BlackTree has not independently validated that it is safe, reliable or weaponised.
Likely attack path
local access → Integer Overflow or Wraparound → execute code or commands in the affected security context
Attack surface
Local
Privileges required
None: unauthenticated exploitation is possible
User interaction
Required interaction required
Attack complexity
High: exploitation depends on specific conditions
Security boundary
Unchanged: impact remains within the vulnerable component's security authority
Weakness ?CWE means Common Weakness Enumeration: a standard category for the underlying weakness.
CWE-190: Integer Overflow or Wraparound. The product performs a calculation that can produce an integer overflow or wraparound when the logic assumes that the resulting value will always be larger than the original value. This occurs when an integer value is incremented to a value that is too large to store in the associated representation. When this occurs, the value may become a very small or negative number.
CVSS vector ?CVSS means Common Vulnerability Scoring System. The vector records the metric values used to calculate technical severity.
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Common Vulnerability Scoring System 3.1: the compact vector below is decoded into plain language.
AVLocalAttack vector: The attacker needs local access to the vulnerable system.ACHighAttack complexity: Successful exploitation depends on specific conditions outside the attacker's direct control.PRNonePrivileges required: The attacker does not need an account or existing privileges.UIRequiredUser interaction: Another user must perform an action for exploitation to succeed.SUnchangedScope: The security impact remains within the vulnerable component's authority.CHighConfidentiality impact: A successful attack can cause a major loss.IHighIntegrity impact: A successful attack can cause a major loss.AHighAvailability impact: A successful attack can cause a major loss.
Post-exploitation / living off the land
After compromise, an attacker may use built-in shells, scripting engines, scheduled tasks and native network utilities for discovery, persistence or movement. This is a plausible LoTL path, not evidence that it has occurred for every attack.
UnauthenticatedRemote code executionDenial of serviceCWE-190Public exploit reference
A
Official authority intelligence
Only matched European and national findings are included. Language selectors and unavailable sources are omitted.
ENISA EUVD · EUVD-2026-64935Official EUVD mapping
A flaw was found in the file-pcx plugin in GIMP, affecting 32-bit builds only. When processing a PCX image file, the plugin calculates memory allocation sizes based on the image dimensions and the number of color planes. If a crafted file sets the number of planes to 4 alongside sufficiently large dimensions, the calculation exceeds the 32-bit integer limit and overflows, resulting in an undersized heap-based buffer allocation. This integer overflow issue results in a heap-based buffer overflow when the plugin subsequently writes image data into the undersized buffer, causing memory corruption, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or a denial of service.
Official EUVD recordBSI · German · WID-SEC-W-2026-2986GIMP: Mehrere Schwachstellen
Ein lokaler Angreifer kann mehrere Schwachstellen in GIMP ausnutzen, um beliebigen Programmcode auszuführen, vertrauliche Informationen offenzulegen oder einen Denial-of-Service-Zustand herbeizuführen.
Operational remediation based on structured source evidence.
Status ?Patch availability is based on structured fixed-version fields and authoritative update references. If no fix is verified, check the vendor advisory before making a change.
Mitigation available
Affected
gimp as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6; gimp-devel as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6; gimp-devel-tools as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6; gimp-help-browser as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6; gimp-libs as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6; gimp.src as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
Fixed
No fixed version is explicitly recorded in the structured CVE data.
Action
Apply the mitigation in the linked authoritative guidance while planning the vendor's permanent fix.
Workaround
To mitigate this vulnerability, do not open PCX files from untrusted sources with GIMP.
04
Evidence and provenance
Published 24 Aug 2026 · Last source change 31 Aug 2026, 13:54 UTC · CWE-190 · Integer Overflow or Wraparound
CVE recordCVE.org · 5.2
CVSS sourceCNA
EPSS source ?The date BlackTree first stored a score for this CVE from the daily FIRST EPSS feed.FIRST · tracked since 2026-08-25
European sourceENISA EUVD · EUVD-2026-64935
Product sourceVendor CSAF · Red Hat Product Security
Remediation sourceVendor CSAF · Red Hat Product Security
CWE sourceCNA
NVD statusNVD enriched
Core structured fields are present and their contributing authorities are shown above.
Vendor guidanceAuthoritative vendor guidance changed from no authoritative guidance recorded to authoritative remediation link · mitigation, vendor advisory.
Before
no authoritative guidance recorded
After
authoritative remediation link · mitigation, vendor advisory
Affected versionsThe structured affected or fixed version information changed.
Before
gimp as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6; gimp-devel as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6; gimp-devel-tools as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6; gimp-help-browser as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6; gimp-libs as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6; gimp.src as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6; gimp as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7; gimp-devel as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7; gimp-devel-tools as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7; gimp-libs as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7; gimp.src as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7; gimp-devel-tools (gimp:2.8) as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8; gimp-devel (gimp:2.8) as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8; gimp-libs (gimp:2.8) as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8; gimp.src (gimp:2.8) as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8; gimp (gimp:2.8) as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8; pygobject2-codegen (gimp:2.8) as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8; pygobject2-devel (gimp:2.8) as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8; pygobject2-doc (gimp:2.8) as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8; pygobject2.src (gimp:2.8) as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8; pygobject2 (gimp:2.8) as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8; pygtk2-codegen (gimp:2.8) as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8; pygtk2-devel (gimp:2.8) as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8; pygtk2-doc (gimp:2.8) as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8; pygtk2.src (gimp:2.8) as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8; pygtk2 (gimp:2.8) as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8; python2-cairo-devel (gimp:2.8) as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8; python2-cairo (gimp:2.8) as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8; python2-pycairo.src (gimp:2.8) as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8; gimp as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9; and 2 more
After
gimp as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6; gimp-devel as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6; gimp-devel-tools as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6; gimp-help-browser as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6; gimp-libs as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6; gimp.src as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
Technical terms and abbreviations used in this report
CVE
Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures: the public identifier for one disclosed vulnerability.
CVSS
Common Vulnerability Scoring System: a technical severity framework; it is not patching priority by itself.
EPSS
Exploit Prediction Scoring System: FIRST's estimate of the probability that exploitation activity will be observed in the next 30 days; it is a forecast, not confirmation.
CWE
Common Weakness Enumeration: the standard category describing the underlying software or hardware weakness.
CNA
CVE Numbering Authority: an organisation authorised to assign and publish CVE records.
CISA ADP
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Authorized Data Publisher: structured enrichment added to a CVE record.
NVD
National Vulnerability Database: NIST's enrichment service for CVE records.
CERT / CSIRT
A computer security incident response team that publishes warnings or coordinates incident response.
PoC
Proof of concept: public material that demonstrates or helps reproduce exploitation.
CSAF
Common Security Advisory Framework: a machine-readable format for security advisories.
LoTL
Living off the land: abuse of legitimate tools or system functions during an attack.
CVE-2026-78465: Gimp: integer overflow in pcx loader (planes=4) leads to heap overflow on 32-bit | BlackTree
