CVE-2026-2026-2050: Critical Heap Buffer Overflow in GIMP HDR Parsing Enables Remote Code Execution
A critical heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability in GIMP's HDR file parsing, tracked as CVE-2026-2050, allows attackers to execute arbitrary code by tricking users into opening a malicious file.
The Zero Day Initiative (ZDI) has disclosed a critical vulnerability in GIMP, the popular open-source image editor, that could allow attackers to remotely execute arbitrary code. Tracked as CVE-2026-2050 and assigned ZDI-26-282, the flaw is a heap-based buffer overflow in GIMP's parsing of HDR (High Dynamic Range) image files. The vulnerability carries a CVSS score of 7.8, indicating high severity, and requires user interaction—such as visiting a malicious webpage or opening a malicious file—to be exploited.
The specific flaw resides in how GIMP handles HDR files. The software fails to properly validate the length of user-supplied data before copying it to a heap-based buffer. This oversight allows an attacker to overflow the buffer and overwrite adjacent memory, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution in the context of the current process. The vulnerability was discovered by researcher Michael Randrianantenaina, who reported it to GIMP on December 4, 2025.
GIMP has since issued a fix for the vulnerability, which is available via a merge request in the GEGL library—a core. The patch was merged on April 15, 2026, the same day the advisory was publicly released. Users are strongly advised to update their GIMP installations to the latest version to mitigate the risk. The disclosure timeline shows a coordinated release, with the vendor working closely with ZDI to ensure a patch was ready before public disclosure.
While no active exploitation has been reported in the wild, the high severity and the requirement for user interaction make this vulnerability a prime target for phishing campaigns and targeted attacks. GIMP's widespread use across various platforms, including Windows, macOS, and Linux, broadens the potential attack surface. The vulnerability is particularly concerning for organizations that rely on GIMP for image processing, as a successful exploit could lead to data theft, system compromise, or further network infiltration.
This disclosure highlights the ongoing challenges in securing complex file parsing routines in widely used software. Heap buffer overflows remain a common class of vulnerability, often leading to remote code execution. The coordinated disclosure process between ZDI and GIMP demonstrates the importance of responsible vulnerability management, ensuring that users have access to patches before the details are widely known. Users should prioritize updating GIMP to the latest version to protect against potential exploitation.