# CVE-2026-78475: GIMP file-pix plugin stack overflow in PIX image processing

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-78475-gimp-file-pix-plugin-stack-overflow-in-pix-image-processing  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-08-24. Updated: 2026-09-25  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-78475 · Severity: medium · CVSS 6.1 · Published 2026-08-24

GIMP's file-pix image plugin contains a flaw that crashes the application when processing specially crafted PIX image files. An attacker who tricks a user into opening a malicious image file can cause GIMP to freeze or crash, disrupting work, and potentially leak small amounts of sensitive data from the application's memory.

Technologies: [Gimp](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/gimp), [Redhat Enterprise Linux](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/enterprise-linux). Vendors: [Gimp](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/gimp), [Redhat](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/redhat).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-78475 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-78475 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-78475?** Medium severity, with a CVSS score of 6.1, published 24 August 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** GNOME GIMP <UNKNOWN>.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-78475?** No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.

**How is CVE-2026-78475 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in a software library.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-78475?** Check whether you run Gimp or Redhat Enterprise Linux. 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 exists in the file-pix (ESM) plugin in GIMP due to improper bounds checking on a Variable-Length Array (VLA) allocated on the stack. When processing a specially crafted PIX image file, the plugin performs unbounded stack allocation followed by a 21-byte stack over-read. This results in a stack exhaustion condition that causes denial of service and limited information disclosure of stack memory contents into an intermediate file. The attack requires user interaction (opening a malicious PIX file) and affects local GIMP instances.

## Affected products

- GNOME GIMP <UNKNOWN>

## Timeline

- 2026-08-24: disclosed

## References

- [https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/gimp](https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/gimp)
- [https://access.redhat.com/downloads/content/package-browser/](https://access.redhat.com/downloads/content/package-browser/)

## 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)
- [GIMP integer overflow in file-pvr plug-in](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-62439-a-flaw-was-found-in-gimp-an-integer-overflow-occurs-in-the-file)
- [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)