# CVE-2026-18304: GIMP integer overflow in TIF file parsing

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-18304-gimp-integer-overflow-in-tif-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-2026-18304 · Severity: high · CVSS 7.8 · Published 2026-08-20

GIMP is a widely-used open-source image editor. A flaw in how it parses TIFF image files can allow an attacker to craft a malicious image that, when opened by a user, executes arbitrary code on their computer with the permissions of the GIMP process, potentially compromising sensitive image data or enabling further system compromise.

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

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-18304 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-18304 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-18304?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 7.8, published 20 August 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Gimp prior to patch (commit ad32d22c347674fa1bb5b60935c376b673d946e7).

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-18304?** A patch was published on 2026-07-29: GIMP patch available Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-18304 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in a software library.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-18304?** Check whether you run Gimp at an affected version. 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

The vulnerability is an integer overflow in GIMP's TIF file parser that occurs before buffer allocation. Insufficient validation of user-supplied data in TIFF files allows an attacker to trigger an integer overflow, leading to allocation of an undersized buffer. When subsequent operations write to this buffer, a heap overflow occurs, enabling arbitrary code execution. The attack requires user interaction (opening a malicious TIFF file), but is otherwise remote/local depending on delivery vector. GIMP has released a patch available at the GitLab commit referenced in the advisory.

## Affected products

- GIMP GIMP prior to patch (commit ad32d22c347674fa1bb5b60935c376b673d946e7)

## Timeline

- 2026-04-17: disclosed: Vulnerability reported to vendor
- 2026-07-29: advisory: Coordinated public release of advisory (ZDI-26-457)
- 2026-07-29: patched: GIMP patch available

## References

- [https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/gimp/-/commit/ad32d22c347674fa1bb5b60935c376b673d946e7](https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/gimp/-/commit/ad32d22c347674fa1bb5b60935c376b673d946e7)
- [https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-26-457/](https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-26-457/)

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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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- [GIMP heap buffer overflow in GIF export](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-106064-a-heap-based-buffer-overflow-was-found-in-gimp-s-gif-export-plug)