CVE-2026-112261 in GIMP
Summary
by MITRE • 10/20/2026
A flaw was found in GIMP. Opening a crafted XCF that selects a path and then fails to load that path can cause a use-after-free in the main process, leading to a crash and potentially arbitrary code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/20/2026
The vulnerability identified within GNU Image Manipulation Program (GIMP) represents a critical memory management error classified as a Use-After-Free condition. This flaw specifically manifests when processing XCF files, which is GIMP's native file format designed to preserve layers, channels, paths, and other complex image data structures during editing sessions. The root cause lies in the improper handling of path objects within the application's rendering engine. When an attacker crafts a malicious XCF file that explicitly selects a specific vector path but contains corrupted or malformed data causing the loading process for that particular path to fail, GIMP fails to correctly manage the memory lifecycle associated with that object. The software attempts to access or manipulate the path reference after it has already been deallocated by the system due to the load failure, resulting in a dangling pointer scenario where the application operates on freed memory.
From a technical perspective, this use-after-free vulnerability allows for arbitrary code execution under specific conditions. In modern operating systems with standard security mitigations such as Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR) and Data Execution Prevention (DEP), exploiting a simple crash is often insufficient for gaining control. However, the ability to trigger memory corruption through a crafted file provides an attacker with opportunities to manipulate heap structures or overwrite function pointers within the GIMP process space. By carefully crafting the payload within the XCF file, an adversary can potentially achieve arbitrary read/write primitives, which are essential steps in bypassing modern security controls and executing malicious code on the victim's system. This transforms a simple application crash into a severe remote code execution risk if the user is tricked into opening the malicious document.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond mere service disruption for individual users. While GIMP itself does not typically run with elevated privileges, it is frequently used by graphic designers and digital artists who may have access to sensitive corporate data or proprietary intellectual property. A successful exploitation could allow an attacker to install malware, exfiltrate local files, or use the compromised workstation as a pivot point for further network intrusion. Furthermore, because GIMP supports plugins that can interact with system resources, the potential attack surface is broadened if any installed plugin inherits the privileges of the main process and interacts poorly with the corrupted memory state. This makes social engineering attacks involving maliciously crafted image files particularly dangerous in professional environments where users are accustomed to opening various file formats from external sources.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve software updates provided by the GIMP maintainers, which include patches that enforce stricter validation of path data structures and ensure proper reference counting or nullification of pointers after deallocation. Users should immediately update their installation of GIMP to the latest stable version where these memory management fixes are applied. In addition to patching, organizations should implement application whitelisting policies to restrict the execution of untrusted binaries and enforce strict file type validation at the network perimeter using intrusion detection systems capable of identifying malformed XCF structures. Security awareness training is also critical; users must be educated on the risks associated with opening image files from unknown or untrusted sources, as this vulnerability relies heavily on user interaction to trigger the malicious code path through the act of loading a crafted document into the application interface.
This incident aligns with Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) category CWE-416, which defines Use After Free errors where software continues to use memory after it has been freed, leading to unpredictable behavior and potential security breaches. It also maps to MITRE ATT&CK technique T1203, Exploitation for Client Execution, as the vulnerability is triggered by a user opening a malicious file designed to exploit client-side application logic rather than server-side services. The exploitation vector highlights the importance of robust input validation and memory safety in desktop applications that handle complex binary formats, reinforcing the need for developers to adopt secure coding practices such as static analysis tools and fuzzing during the software development lifecycle to detect similar logical flaws before release.