CVE-2026-59088 in GIMP
Summary
by MITRE • 08/10/2026
A flaw was found in GIMP. A signed integer overflow vulnerability exists in the `file-fli` plugin when processing FLI image files. This occurs due to an incorrect calculation during memory allocation for image buffers, where the multiplication of image width and height can exceed the maximum integer value. A remote attacker could exploit this by tricking a user into opening a specially crafted FLI file, leading to the application crashing and resulting in a denial of service.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/16/2026
The vulnerability identified in GIMP represents a critical security flaw within the file-fli plugin that demonstrates a classic signed integer overflow condition during memory allocation processes. This issue specifically manifests when processing FLI image files, which are part of the Autodesk FLI/FLC animation format used for storing animated graphics. The flaw stems from improper handling of arithmetic operations that calculate memory requirements for image buffers, where the multiplication of width and height values can exceed the maximum value representable by a signed integer type. Such overflow conditions create predictable memory allocation failures that can be exploited to disrupt normal application operation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a fundamental miscalculation in how the plugin determines buffer sizes for image processing operations. When an FLI file is loaded, the system attempts to compute the total memory needed for the image data by multiplying the width and height dimensions. However, when these dimensions are sufficiently large, their product exceeds the maximum value that can be represented by a signed 32-bit integer, causing the calculation to wrap around to negative values or zero. This overflow directly impacts the malloc or similar memory allocation functions, resulting in either insufficient memory allocation or complete allocation failure.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for end users who may inadvertently open maliciously crafted FLI files. The attack vector requires social engineering to convince victims to open specifically designed files, making it a remote exploitation scenario that can lead to denial of service conditions. When exploited successfully, the application crashes due to memory allocation failures, forcing users to restart the software and potentially losing unsaved work. This disruption affects not only individual productivity but also systems where GIMP serves as a critical component in graphic design workflows or automated processing pipelines.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-190, which specifically addresses signed integer overflow conditions that can lead to memory allocation errors and subsequent application instability. From an attack framework perspective, this issue maps to several ATT&CK techniques including initial access through malicious file delivery and privilege escalation via application crash conditions. The exploitability factor is enhanced by the fact that GIMP users frequently open files from untrusted sources, making the attack surface particularly broad. Organizations using GIMP for professional work may experience operational disruptions when attackers leverage this vulnerability to cause service interruptions or data loss incidents.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patch deployment through official GIMP updates that address the integer overflow calculation in the file-fli plugin. System administrators should implement strict file validation procedures that filter FLI files based on size parameters and origin verification. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of opening untrusted image files and encouraged to maintain updated software versions. Network-level protections can include filtering mechanisms that block suspicious file types or implement sandboxing techniques for image processing operations. The fix typically involves implementing proper bounds checking before memory allocation calculations and using unsigned integer types or overflow detection mechanisms to prevent the arithmetic overflow condition from occurring in the first place.