CVE-2026-0797 in GIMP
Summary
by MITRE • 02/21/2026
GIMP ICO File Parsing Heap-based Buffer Overflow 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 ICO files. The issue results from the lack of proper validation of the length of user-supplied data prior to copying it to a heap-based buffer. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current process. Was ZDI-CAN-28599.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/01/2026
The CVE-2026-0797 vulnerability represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow in the GNU Image Manipulation Program GIMP specifically within its ICO file parsing functionality. This vulnerability classifies under CWE-121 Heap-based Buffer Overflow, which occurs when a program writes data beyond the boundaries of a heap-allocated buffer. The flaw manifests during the processing of ICO (Icon) image files, which are commonly used for application and system icons in Windows environments. The vulnerability's remote code execution potential makes it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through web-based attacks or malicious file delivery without requiring local system access.
The technical root cause stems from insufficient input validation during ICO file parsing operations. When GIMP processes an ICO file, it reads and interprets the file header and subsequent data structures to extract icon information. However, the parsing routine fails to properly validate the length of user-supplied data before copying it into heap-allocated buffers. This lack of bounds checking allows an attacker to craft a malicious ICO file with oversized data fields that exceed the allocated buffer size. The overflow occurs in the heap memory space, which can lead to memory corruption and potentially arbitrary code execution. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves the exploitation of memory corruption vulnerabilities to gain code execution privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution capabilities, as it can be leveraged for privilege escalation and persistent system compromise. Since the vulnerability requires user interaction through visiting malicious web pages or opening malicious files, it represents a typical attack vector for social engineering campaigns targeting graphic design professionals or system administrators who frequently handle image files. The exploitation occurs in the context of the current GIMP process, meaning that successful exploitation could lead to full system compromise depending on the privileges of the user running GIMP. This vulnerability affects all versions of GIMP that process ICO files, making it particularly widespread in environments where GIMP is commonly used for graphic design work.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2026-0797 should focus on immediate patching and defensive measures. Organizations should prioritize updating to the latest stable version of GIMP that includes the patched ICO file parsing routines. System administrators should implement network-based protections such as web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious ICO file downloads. Additionally, user education programs should emphasize the importance of avoiding untrusted file downloads and suspicious web content. The vulnerability's classification as a heap-based buffer overflow suggests that implementing address space layout randomization and stack canaries could provide additional defense-in-depth measures, though these are secondary to proper input validation. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual GIMP process behavior and memory access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Given that this vulnerability was tracked as ZDI-CAN-28599, organizations should also consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning tools that can detect systems running vulnerable versions of GIMP and prioritize remediation efforts accordingly.