GIMP: Out-of-bounds Read
CVE-2026-66759 is a high-severity out-of-bounds read vulnerability in GIMP from GNOME, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.1 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. Affected GIMP versions: 2.99.14 and later. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.3% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Check which version of GIMP you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- Read the advisory on access.redhat.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- 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
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| GNOME | GIMP | 2.99.14 and later | Not stated |
| Red Hat | Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Red Hat | Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Red Hat | Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Red Hat | Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Red Hat | Enterprise Linux | 6.0; 7.0; 8.0; 9.0 | Not stated |
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
- NoneNothing can be modified.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:H. Scored by CNA (redhat.com).
Official description
A flaw was found in the file-icns plugin in GIMP. When applying a decompressed mask during ICNS image processing, the plugin reads from the mask data buffer without verifying if the cursor exceeds the allocated resource size. If a crafted file contains a truncated mask resource, the icns_decompress function continues reading past the bounds of the buffer. This out-of-bounds read vulnerability results in information disclosure of heap contents, where memory contents are leaked as alpha channel pixel values, or a crash leading to a denial of service if unmapped memory is accessed.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Out-of-bounds Read
The product reads data past the end, or before the beginning, of the intended buffer.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Use a language that provides appropriate memory abstractions.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: poc, automatable: no, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Advisories
- access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-66759
- bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2507557Issue Tracking
- gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/gimp/-/issues/16528Exploit, Issue Tracking
Other references
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:50817Issue Tracking
Other vulnerabilities in GIMP
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.0 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
Recent Out-of-bounds Read vulnerabilities
- 8.1 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 7.1 High severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 8.1 High severity
Spotted an error? Tell us.