# CVE-2026-4152: GIMP JP2 file parsing heap-based buffer overflow

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-4152-gimp-jp2-file-parsing-heap-based-buffer-overflow  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-04-11. Updated: 2026-06-30  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-4152 · Severity: high · CVSS 7.8 · Published 2026-04-11

GIMP, a popular open-source image editor, is vulnerable to a security flaw when processing certain image files. An attacker could trick a user into opening a specially crafted JP2 image file, which could then allow the attacker to take control of the user's computer or execute malicious commands. This could lead to the theft of personal data or a complete compromise of the affected system.

Technologies: [Gimp](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/gimp), [Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/enterprise-linux-6), [Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/enterprise-linux-8), [Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/enterprise-linux-9). Vendors: [Gimp](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/gimp), [Red Hat](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/red-hat).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-4152 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-4152 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-4152?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 7.8, published 11 April 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Gimp 3.0.8.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-4152?** A patch was published on 2026-05-12: Red Hat released security updates (RHSA-2026:16484) Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-4152 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in a network appliance.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-4152?** Check whether you run Gimp, Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6, Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 or one of the others listed 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

A heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability exists in GIMP due to improper validation of user-supplied data length during the parsing of JP2 (JPEG 2000) files. The flaw occurs when data is copied to a heap buffer without sufficient bounds checking, leading to an out-of-bounds write (CWE-787). An attacker can exploit this by convincing a user to open a specially crafted JP2 file, potentially achieving remote code execution (RCE) within the context of the GIMP process. The vulnerability was coordinated through the Zero Day Initiative (ZDI-CAN-28863) and patches have been released by GIMP and various Linux distributions including Red Hat.

## Affected products

- GIMP GIMP 3.0.8
- Red Hat Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
- Red Hat Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8
- Red Hat Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9

## Timeline

- 2026-03-05: disclosed: Vulnerability reported to vendor
- 2026-03-19: advisory: Coordinated public release of ZDI advisory
- 2026-04-11: advisory: NVD publication date
- 2026-05-12: patched: Red Hat released security updates (RHSA-2026:16484)

## References

- [https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/gimp/-/commit/f64c9c23ba3c37dc7b875a9fb477c23953b4666e](https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/gimp/-/commit/f64c9c23ba3c37dc7b875a9fb477c23953b4666e)
- [https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-26-219/](https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-26-219/)
- [https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:16484](https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:16484)
- [https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:19362](https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:19362)
- [https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:20691](https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:20691)
- [https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:25899](https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:25899)
- [https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:25901](https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:25901)

## Related threats

- [GIMP use-after-free in XCF path loader](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-112261-a-flaw-was-found-in-gimp-opening-a-crafted-xcf-that-selects-a)
- [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 raw data export](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-106066-a-heap-based-buffer-overflow-was-found-in-gimp-s-raw-data-export)
- [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)