CVE-2012-5576 in GIMP
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple stack-based buffer overflows in file-xwd.c in the X Window Dump (XWD) plug-in in GIMP 2.8.2 allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via a large (1) red, (2) green, or (3) blue color mask in an XWD file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/19/2026
This vulnerability exists within the X Window Dump plugin of GIMP version 2.8.2 where improper input validation leads to stack-based buffer overflows when processing XWD image files. The flaw specifically occurs in the file-xwd.c component when handling color mask values for red, green, or blue channels, allowing attackers to manipulate these parameters to trigger memory corruption. The vulnerability is classified as a stack-based buffer overflow under CWE-121 which represents a fundamental memory safety issue where data written to a buffer exceeds its allocated bounds on the stack. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious XWD files with oversized color mask values that cause the application to write beyond allocated memory boundaries, resulting in unpredictable behavior.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service to potentially enable remote code execution depending on memory layout and exploitation conditions. When an attacker successfully triggers the buffer overflow through a specially crafted XWD file, the application crashes due to stack corruption, but under certain circumstances the overflow may allow arbitrary code execution by overwriting return addresses or function pointers in the stack. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged for remote attacks without requiring local access, representing a critical security risk for systems that process untrusted image files. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 - Exploitation for Client Execution which describes how adversaries use software exploits to run malicious code on compromised systems.
The attack vector requires an attacker to convince a victim to open a malicious XWD file through GIMP, making social engineering potentially part of the exploitation strategy. This vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices in the image processing pipeline where color mask values are not properly bounds-checked before being used to allocate or copy data structures. The risk is amplified by the widespread use of GIMP across various platforms and the typical user behavior of opening files from untrusted sources. Security controls should focus on input sanitization, memory protection mechanisms, and application hardening techniques to prevent exploitation. The vulnerability highlights the importance of defensive programming practices including bounds checking, secure coding standards, and regular security auditing of image processing libraries that handle external data formats to prevent similar memory corruption issues in other software components.
Mitigation strategies include immediate patching of GIMP to version 2.8.4 or later where this vulnerability has been addressed through proper input validation and buffer size checks. Users should also implement file type restrictions, sandboxing mechanisms, and network-based filtering to prevent automatic processing of potentially malicious XWD files. Organizations should consider deploying intrusion detection systems that can identify suspicious file patterns and ensure regular security updates are applied across all image processing applications. The vulnerability underscores the necessity of comprehensive security testing including fuzzing and memory corruption analysis during software development cycles to identify and remediate such critical flaws before they can be exploited in the wild.