GIMP APNG/DDS Loader Heap Buffer Overflow
CVE-2026-42169 Published on August 4, 2026
Gimp: gimp apng loader heap-buffer-overflow when fctl width exceeds ihdr width (file-png.c)
A heap-buffer-overflow vulnerability exists in the APNG (Animated PNG) file loader of GIMP. This flaw occurs when the `fcTL` width exceeds the `IHDR` width, leading to pixel data being written past the end of a heap allocation. Additionally, a heap-based buffer overflow exists in the DDS plug-in due to a BPP mismatch in the `load_layer()` function. Both vulnerabilities can be triggered by opening a specially crafted image file, potentially leading to code execution.
Vulnerability Analysis
CVE-2026-42169 can be exploited with local system access, requires user interaction and a small amount of user privileges. This vulnerability is considered to have a low attack complexity. The potential impact of an exploit of this vulnerability is considered to be very high.
Timeline
Reported to Red Hat.
Made public. 102 days later.
Weakness Type
Incorrect Calculation of Buffer Size
The software does not correctly calculate the size to be used when allocating a buffer, which could lead to a buffer overflow.
Products Associated with CVE-2026-42169
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