Description
A heap-buffer-overflow vulnerability exists in the APNG (Animated PNG) file loader of GIMP. This flaw occurs when the `fcTL` width exceeds the `IHDR` width, leading to pixel data being written past the end of a heap allocation. Additionally, a heap-based buffer overflow exists in the DDS plug-in due to a BPP mismatch in the `load_layer()` function. Both vulnerabilities can be triggered by opening a specially crafted image file, potentially leading to code execution.
Published: 2026-08-04
Score: 7.3 High
EPSS: < 1% Very Low
KEV: No
Impact: n/a
Action: n/a
AI Analysis

Impact

A heap-buffer-overflow in GIMP’s animated‑PNG loader can be triggered by opening an image that contains an fcTL chunk whose width field is larger than the width in the preceding IHDR chunk; this causes pixel data to be written beyond the end of the allocated heap block. A second heap overflow occurs in the DDS plug‑in when a BPP mismatch in load_layer() leads to a similar out‑of‑bounds write. Both overflow paths can be exploited to execute arbitrary code. The weakness is classified as CWE‑131: Incorrect Calculation of Buffer Size.

Affected Systems

The vulnerability is present in the GIMP component delivered with Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6, 7, 8, and 9. All installed versions that include the affected GIMP binary are impacted; the list does not specify stricter version limits.

Risk and Exploitability

The CVSS score of 7.3 indicates a high level of risk. No EPSS score is currently available and the vulnerability is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog, which suggests an unknown exploitation probability. The error can be triggered simply by opening a malicious image file, so the likely attack vector is local; an attacker with sufficient privileges to run GIMP can potentially gain code execution on the host. Until a vendor patch is issued, the risk remains significant for systems that accept untrusted graphic input.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on August 4, 2026 at 09:21 UTC.

Remediation

Vendor Workaround

Mitigation for this issue is either not available or the currently available options do not meet the Red Hat Product Security criteria comprising ease of use and deployment, applicability to widespread installation base, or stability.


OpenCVE Recommended Actions

  • Limit the use of GIMP to trusted users or disable the APNG loader if the functionality is not required.
  • Keep the RHEL system updated and monitor Red Hat errata for a patch that addresses this GIMP vulnerability; apply any available patch as soon as it is released.
  • Implement strict application confinement (SELinux or AppArmor) to restrict GIMP’s file system access and prevent arbitrary code execution.
  • Avoid opening unknown or untrusted image files with GIMP; use file‑type validation and user education as a temporary precaution.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on August 4, 2026 at 09:21 UTC.

Tracking

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Advisories

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History

Fri, 07 Aug 2026 11:45:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Gimp
Gimp gimp
Vendors & Products Gimp
Gimp gimp

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 15:30:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
CPEs cpe:/o:redhat:enterprise_linux:9 cpe:/a:redhat:enterprise_linux:9::appstream
References

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 15:30:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'total'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}


Tue, 04 Aug 2026 12:15:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
References
Metrics threat_severity

None

threat_severity

Moderate


Tue, 04 Aug 2026 03:30:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description A heap-buffer-overflow vulnerability exists in the APNG (Animated PNG) file loader of GIMP. This flaw occurs when the `fcTL` width exceeds the `IHDR` width, leading to pixel data being written past the end of a heap allocation. Additionally, a heap-based buffer overflow exists in the DDS plug-in due to a BPP mismatch in the `load_layer()` function. Both vulnerabilities can be triggered by opening a specially crafted image file, potentially leading to code execution.
Title Gimp: gimp apng loader heap-buffer-overflow when fctl width exceeds ihdr width (file-png.c)
First Time appeared Redhat
Redhat enterprise Linux
Weaknesses CWE-131
CPEs cpe:/o:redhat:enterprise_linux:6
cpe:/o:redhat:enterprise_linux:7
cpe:/o:redhat:enterprise_linux:8
cpe:/o:redhat:enterprise_linux:9
Vendors & Products Redhat
Redhat enterprise Linux
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 7.3, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'}


Subscriptions

Gimp Gimp
Redhat Enterprise Linux
cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: redhat

Published:

Updated: 2026-08-05T15:21:41.815Z

Reserved: 2026-04-24T20:54:37.044Z

Link: CVE-2026-42169

cve-icon Vulnrichment

Updated: 2026-08-04T14:20:51.395Z

cve-icon NVD

Status : Awaiting Analysis

Published: 2026-08-04T04:16:32.710

Modified: 2026-08-06T15:37:22.093

Link: CVE-2026-42169

cve-icon Redhat

Severity : Moderate

Publid Date: 2026-08-04T00:20:36Z

Links: CVE-2026-42169 - Bugzilla

cve-icon OpenCVE Enrichment

Updated: 2026-08-07T11:13:25Z

Weaknesses
  • CWE-131

    Incorrect Calculation of Buffer Size