CVE-2025-2761 in GIMP
Summary
by MITRE • 04/23/2025
GIMP FLI File Parsing Out-Of-Bounds Write 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 FLI files. The issue results from the lack of proper validation of user-supplied data, which can result in a write past the end of an allocated buffer. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current process. Was ZDI-CAN-25100.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/04/2026
The CVE-2025-2761 vulnerability represents a critical out-of-bounds write flaw in the GNU Image Manipulation Program GIMP that enables remote code execution through malicious FLI file parsing. This vulnerability specifically targets the FLI (Flash Image) file format handling within GIMP's image processing pipeline, where insufficient input validation allows attackers to manipulate memory boundaries during file parsing operations. The flaw exists in the buffer management logic that fails to properly validate the size and structure of FLI file data before processing, creating an exploitable condition where crafted input can cause memory corruption. The vulnerability is classified as a buffer overflow variant that falls under CWE-787 (Out-of-Bounds Write) and demonstrates a classic weakness in software input sanitization that has been documented in numerous security advisories across the industry.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to craft a malicious FLI file that triggers the specific parsing path containing the buffer overflow condition. When GIMP processes such a file, the application attempts to write data beyond the allocated memory buffer boundaries, potentially overwriting adjacent memory regions including function pointers, return addresses, or other critical program state information. This memory corruption can be leveraged to redirect program execution flow and ultimately execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the GIMP process. The vulnerability requires user interaction to be exploited, meaning that victims must either open the malicious file directly within GIMP or visit a web page that automatically triggers the file processing, making it particularly dangerous in social engineering campaigns. The attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 (Exploitation for Client Execution) and demonstrates how file format parsing vulnerabilities can serve as entry points for more sophisticated attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass potential system compromise and data exfiltration capabilities. Since GIMP typically runs with user-level privileges, successful exploitation could allow attackers to gain persistent access to compromised systems, especially when combined with other attack vectors or when GIMP is used with elevated privileges. The vulnerability affects various versions of GIMP across different operating systems, making it a widespread concern for users who rely on this image editing software for both personal and professional use. Organizations using GIMP in enterprise environments may face significant risk if users encounter malicious FLI files through email attachments, web downloads, or compromised websites. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution flaw means that attackers can potentially establish command and control channels, install backdoors, or perform lateral movement within network environments where vulnerable systems exist. Security teams should consider this vulnerability in their threat modeling exercises and prioritize patching efforts to protect against potential exploitation attempts.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-2761 should focus on immediate patch deployment and operational security improvements. Organizations should prioritize updating to patched versions of GIMP that address the buffer overflow condition in FLI file parsing, as recommended by the vendor and security advisories from organizations like ZDI. System administrators should implement file type restrictions and content filtering measures to prevent automatic processing of untrusted FLI files, particularly in environments where users may encounter potentially malicious content. Network security controls such as web application firewalls and email security solutions should be configured to block or scan FLI file attachments and downloads. Additionally, user education programs should emphasize the importance of avoiding untrusted file downloads and visiting suspicious websites that may contain malicious FLI files. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution flaw necessitates comprehensive monitoring for exploitation attempts and system compromise indicators, including unusual process execution patterns, network connections to known malicious domains, and unexpected file modifications. Security teams should also consider implementing sandboxing or virtualization techniques for image processing applications to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts.