Code execution via undersized PCX heap allocation
Published Aug 24, 2026 · Updated Aug 25, 2026
Heap-based buffer overflow in GNOME GIMP's file-pcx plugin allows context-dependent attackers to execute code via crafted PCX files. On 32-bit builds, four color planes and sufficiently large dimensions overflow allocation-size arithmetic, leaving a heap buffer smaller than the decoded image data written into it. Exploitation requires a user to open the file and can execute code in that user's session or crash GIMP.
Summary
What happened
Heap-based buffer overflow in GNOME GIMP's file-pcx plugin allows context-dependent attackers to execute code via crafted PCX files. On 32-bit builds, four color planes and sufficiently large dimensions overflow allocation-size arithmetic, leaving a heap buffer smaller than the decoded image data written into it. Exploitation requires a user to open the file and can execute code in that user's session or crash GIMP.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2026-78465
- Published
- Aug 24, 2026
- Updated
- Aug 25, 2026
- Vendor
- Unknown vendor
- Product
- Unknown product
- Classifications
- CWE-190, T1204.002
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- unauthenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Aug 24, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Aug 25, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
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Is a vulnerable build present?
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.
Published CVSS scores
CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.
Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.
Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
- GNOME GIMP work item 16578 proof of conceptproof of concept · unverified
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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