CVE-2011-1178 in GIMP
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple integer overflows in the load_image function in file-pcx.c in the Personal Computer Exchange (PCX) plugin in GIMP 2.6.x and earlier allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code via a crafted PCX image that triggers a heap-based buffer overflow.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/26/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-1178 represents a critical security flaw within the GIMP image processing software ecosystem, specifically affecting versions 2.6.x and earlier. This issue resides within the PCX plugin's load_image function in the file-pcx.c component, which handles the loading and processing of PCX image files. The vulnerability manifests as multiple integer overflows that occur during the parsing of malformed PCX image data, creating a significant attack surface for remote adversaries seeking to exploit the application's image handling capabilities.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and arithmetic handling within the PCX file parser. When GIMP attempts to load a specially crafted PCX image, the load_image function fails to properly validate integer values used for buffer allocation calculations. These integer overflows result in incorrect buffer sizing decisions, ultimately leading to heap-based buffer overflow conditions. The flaw operates by manipulating the dimensions or metadata fields within the PCX file header, causing the application to allocate insufficient memory for image data processing. This improper memory management creates opportunities for both denial of service conditions and potential code execution scenarios.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a substantial risk to users who may unknowingly open malicious PCX files, either through direct downloads or via compromised websites. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires no privileged access or user interaction beyond the simple act of opening an image file, making it highly exploitable in automated attack scenarios. The potential impact extends beyond simple application crashes to include arbitrary code execution, which could allow attackers to gain full control over affected systems. This vulnerability directly relates to CWE-190, Integer Overflow or Wraparound, and CWE-121, Stack-based Buffer Overflow, representing fundamental memory safety issues that have been extensively documented in security literature.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK techniques focusing on initial access through malicious file delivery and privilege escalation via application exploitation. Security practitioners should recognize this as a critical patching requirement for any systems running affected GIMP versions, as the vulnerability enables both persistent denial of service attacks and more severe remote code execution capabilities. The remediation approach centers on updating to GIMP versions 2.7.0 and later, which contain proper input validation and integer overflow protections within the PCX plugin implementation. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as file type restrictions and sandboxing mechanisms to limit the potential impact of similar vulnerabilities in other applications that handle image file formats.