CVE-2023-44444 in GIMP
Summary
by MITRE • 05/03/2024
GIMP PSP File Parsing Off-By-One 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 PSP files. Crafted data in a PSP file can trigger an off-by-one error when calculating a location to write within a heap-based buffer. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current process. . Was ZDI-CAN-22097.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/21/2025
The CVE-2023-44444 vulnerability represents a critical remote code execution flaw in the GNU Image Manipulation Program GIMP software, specifically within its handling of PSP (PaintShop Pro) file format parsing. This vulnerability falls under the category of heap-based buffer overflow conditions that can be exploited through malformed input files, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users might encounter untrusted image content. The flaw resides in the PSP file parser implementation, which fails to properly validate buffer boundaries when processing crafted data structures within these proprietary image files. This type of vulnerability is classified as CWE-121, heap-based buffer overflow, and represents a significant security risk to users who may inadvertently open maliciously crafted PSP files.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through an off-by-one error during heap buffer calculations, where an attacker can manipulate the memory layout to overwrite adjacent memory regions. When GIMP processes a malicious PSP file, the parser calculates memory locations for buffer writes without proper boundary checks, allowing an attacker to write one byte beyond the intended buffer boundaries. This seemingly minor deviation can be leveraged to corrupt critical memory structures, potentially enabling arbitrary code execution within the context of the GIMP process. The vulnerability requires user interaction to be exploited, meaning victims must either open the malicious file directly or visit a web page containing the malicious content, but once triggered, the attack can execute code with the privileges of the running GIMP application. This attack pattern aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, Exploitation for Client Execution, which focuses on leveraging vulnerabilities in software applications to execute malicious code.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it can potentially allow attackers to escalate privileges and access sensitive user data or system resources. Attackers can craft malicious PSP files that, when opened by victims, will trigger the buffer overflow condition and provide remote code execution capabilities. The vulnerability's exploitation requires careful crafting of the input data to manipulate the parser's memory handling, making it a sophisticated attack vector that demonstrates advanced understanding of memory corruption exploitation techniques. Organizations using GIMP for image processing, particularly those in environments where untrusted file handling is common, face significant risk from this vulnerability. The attack surface includes not only direct file opening but also web-based scenarios where malicious images might be embedded in web pages or email attachments, making the attack vector more accessible than traditional software exploitation methods.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-44444 should focus on immediate patch application from the GIMP development team, as well as implementing defensive measures such as restricting user access to potentially malicious file types and employing sandboxing techniques to limit the impact of successful exploitation. System administrators should also consider implementing network-based protections such as content filtering to prevent access to known malicious PSP files, while security teams should monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and boundary checking in memory management operations, and serves as a reminder of the critical need for thorough security testing in multimedia processing applications. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent unauthorized software from executing on systems where GIMP is installed, reducing the overall attack surface. Additionally, user education regarding the risks of opening untrusted image files remains crucial, as the vulnerability requires user interaction to be successfully exploited, making awareness training an important component of the overall security posture against this type of attack.