# CVE-2026-18301: GIMP integer overflow in PSD file parsing

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-18301-gimp-integer-overflow-in-psd-file-parsing  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-08-20. Updated: 2026-09-25  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-18301 · Severity: high · CVSS 7.8 · Published 2026-08-20

GIMP is a widely-used open-source image editor. This vulnerability in its PSD file parser allows attackers to execute arbitrary code when a user opens a specially-crafted PSD file, potentially compromising the user's system and any sensitive data accessible through GIMP.

Technologies: [Gimp](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/gimp). Vendors: [Gimp](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/gimp).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-18301 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-18301 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-18301?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 7.8, published 20 August 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** GIMP GIMP.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-18301?** A patch was published on 2026-07-29: Patch released via merge request Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-18301 attacked?** It is attacked with local access.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-18301?** Check whether you run Gimp. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## Technical details

An integer overflow vulnerability exists in GIMP's PSD file parsing, specifically in the `read_channel_data` function. The flaw stems from insufficient validation of user-supplied data when allocating buffers for channel data, allowing an attacker to trigger an integer overflow before buffer allocation. The attack requires user interaction—the victim must open a malicious PSD file. An attacker can leverage this to execute arbitrary code in the context of the GIMP process. GIMP has released a patch that increases vulnerable variables from guint32 to gsize and adds graceful failure handling for memory allocation errors.

## Affected products

- GIMP GIMP

## Timeline

- 2026-04-17: disclosed: Vulnerability reported to vendor
- 2026-07-29: patched: Patch released via merge request
- 2026-07-29: advisory: Coordinated public release of advisory

## References

- [https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/gimp/-/merge_requests/2772](https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/gimp/-/merge_requests/2772)
- [https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-26-454/](https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-26-454/)

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- [GIMP use-after-free in XCF loader](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-112258-a-flaw-was-found-in-gimp-the-xcf-loader-can-leave-a-dangling)
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