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CVE Record

CVE-2026-0797: GIMP ICO File Parsing Heap-based Buffer Overflow Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

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.

HighCVSS 8.8Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2026-0797 is a high-severity GIMP flaw where a crafted ICO image can cause memory corruption and potentially run code as the user. It requires user interaction, such as opening a malicious file or visiting a malicious page. The known affected version in the bundle is GIMP 3.2.0-RC1.

Executive priority

Prioritize patching or removing affected GIMP builds on user workstations and image-processing systems. The risk is high because successful exploitation can run code, but urgency is lower than a wormable or confirmed exploited vulnerability because user interaction is required and KEV is false.

Technical view

The flaw is a heap-based buffer overflow in GIMP ICO parsing caused by insufficient validation of user-supplied length before copying data. ZDI describes arbitrary code execution in the current process context. The CVSS 3.1 score is 8.8 with network attack vector, low complexity, no privileges, and required user interaction.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most likely on endpoints or image-processing workflows running GIMP 3.2.0-RC1 or downstream packages assessed by vendors. The bundle does not prove broader GIMP version impact beyond the listed affected version.

Exploitation context

The source bundle says exploitation requires user interaction. CISA KEV status is false, and no provided source states active exploitation. Treat this as credible RCE risk, but not as confirmed in-the-wild exploitation.

Researcher notes

Key evidence comes from ZDI, the CVE record, a GNOME GIMP commit reference, and Red Hat advisories. Public sources identify ICO parsing, heap overflow, and RCE impact, but the bundle does not include proof of active exploitation or complete cross-version affectedness.

Mitigation direction

  • Identify and remove GIMP 3.2.0-RC1 where present.
  • Apply vendor GIMP fixes or applicable Red Hat errata packages.
  • Restrict opening untrusted ICO files until patched.
  • Use endpoint controls for files downloaded from web or email.
  • Monitor vendor advisories for confirmed fixed versions.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory installed GIMP versions across workstations and build images.
  • Check package status against Red Hat errata where applicable.
  • Confirm whether GIMP 3.2.0-RC1 exists in developer environments.
  • Review detections for suspicious GIMP crashes or child processes.
  • Verify user workflows that process ICO files from external sources.
Prepared
Confidence
high
Sources
12

Public sources used

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.

ATT&CK lookup starting points

Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.

cwe · low confidence lookup

CWE-120: Exact CWE lookup

Use the exact CWE identifier as the starting point before reviewing related ATT&CK behavior. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.

Open ATT&CK lookup
cwe · low confidence lookup

CWE-122: Exact CWE lookup

Use the exact CWE identifier as the starting point before reviewing related ATT&CK behavior. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.

Open ATT&CK lookup
description · low confidence lookup

Execution behavior lookup

The CVE wording references code or command execution, so execution technique review may help defensive triage. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.

Open ATT&CK lookup
cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2026-0797 mapping review

Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.

Open ATT&CK lookup
Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
High
CVSS
8.8 (3.1)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

2CVSS vectors
5Timeline events
2ADP providers
16Source links

SSVC decision data

CISA-ADPCISA Coordinator
Timestamp
Version
2.0.3
Exploitation: noneAutomatable: noTechnical Impact: total

CVSS vector scores

2 official scores

We collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.

ScoreVersionSeverityVectorExploitImpactSource
8.8CVSS 3.1HighCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H2.85.9redhat-SADP
7.8CVSS 3.0HighCVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H1.85.9zdi

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

8.8High
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2026-0797Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Attack Vector
NetworkAdjacentLocalPhysical
Attack Complexity
LowHigh
Privileges Required
NoneLowHigh
User Interaction
NoneRequired
Scope
ChangedUnchanged
Confidentiality Impact
HighLowNone
Integrity Impact
HighLowNone
Availability Impact
HighLowNone

Vulnerability timeline

Timeline events are normalized from CVE metadata, CNA source timelines, ADP timelines, and KEV metadata when present.

  1. CVE reservedCVE Program

    The CVE ID was reserved by the assigning CNA.

  2. ADP timelineredhat-SADP

    Made public.

  3. CVE publishedCVE Program

    The CVE record was published.

  4. ADP timelineredhat-SADP

    Reported to Red Hat.

  5. CVE updatedCVE Program

    The CVE record metadata indicates this as the latest update time.

ADP provider summaries

CISA-ADPCISA ADP Vulnrichment
other:ssvc
redhat-SADPgimp: GIMP: Remote Code Execution via ICO File Parsing Vulnerability
other:Red Hat severity ratingcvssV3_1
  • 2026-02-20T23:01:46.181Z: Reported to Red Hat.
  • 2026-02-20T22:10:04.716Z: Made public.

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
GIMPGIMP3.2.0-RC1unknown
Weakness

CWE details

CWE-120CWE-122

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.

CWE-120 · source CWE mapping

Buffer Copy without Checking Size of Input ('Classic Buffer Overflow')

Buffer Copy without Checking Size of Input ('Classic Buffer Overflow') represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.

Open CWE intelligenceSame-CWE CVEs
CWE-122 · source CWE mapping

Heap-based Buffer Overflow

Heap-based Buffer Overflow represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.

Open CWE intelligenceSame-CWE CVEs