GIMP: Off-by-one Error
CVE-2023-44444 is a high-severity off-by-one error vulnerability in GIMP, with a CVSS 3.0 base score of 7.8 out of 10. It can be exploited with local access to the system by an unauthenticated attacker, but only if a user takes part, for example by opening a link or file. The record lists version 2.10.36 as the first without the flaw, so updating GIMP to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 56.1% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is in the top 0.94% of all scored CVEs.
Exploitation in the next 30 days is more likely than not, according to EPSS.
What to do
- Update GIMP to 2.10.36 or a later version.
- Because the attack needs a user to take part, warn users about unexpected links and files related to this product until it is patched.
Affected products and versions
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- LocalThe attacker needs local access or must trick a user into running something.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- RequiredA user must take an action such as opening a file or link.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA (trendmicro.com).
Official description
GIMP PSP File Parsing Off-By-One 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 PSP files. Crafted data in a PSP file can trigger an off-by-one error when calculating a location to write within a heap-based buffer. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current process. . Was ZDI-CAN-22097.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Off-by-one Error
A product calculates or uses an incorrect maximum or minimum value that is 1 more, or 1 less, than the correct value.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- When copying character arrays or using character manipulation methods, the correct size parameter must be used to account for the null terminator that needs to be added at the end of the array. Some examples of functions susceptible to this weakness in C include strcpy(), strncpy(), strcat(), strncat(), printf(), sprintf(), scanf() and sscanf().
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Patches and release notes
- gimp.org/news/2023/11/07/gimp-2-10-36-released/Release Notes
Third-party and government advisories
- zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-23-1591/Third Party Advisory
Other references
Other vulnerabilities in GIMP
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
Recent Off-by-one Error vulnerabilities
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 7.5 High severity
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