# CVE-2026-90948: GIMP ICO file loader heap buffer overflow

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-90948-gimp-ico-file-loader-heap-buffer-overflow  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-09-14. Updated: 2026-09-26  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-90948 · Severity: high · CVSS 7.8 · Published 2026-09-14

GIMP is a widely-used image editing application. A flaw in its ICO (Windows icon) file loader allows attackers to craft malicious icon files that, when opened, can crash the application or execute arbitrary code. An attacker could exploit this by distributing a booby-trapped icon file via email or a website.

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

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-90948 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-90948 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-90948?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 7.8, published 14 September 2026.

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

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-90948?** 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-2026-90948 attacked?** It is attacked with local access.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-90948?** 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 ICO file loader when processing ICO files containing embedded PNG images. The flaw occurs during calculation of the required buffer size for decoded pixel data. The integer overflow results in an undersized heap buffer being allocated, which is subsequently overflowed when pixel data is written. The vulnerability requires user interaction (opening a malicious ICO file) and is reachable via local or network (file download) vectors. Successful exploitation can lead to arbitrary code execution or denial of service. A patch is expected from the GIMP project.

## Affected products

- GIMP GIMP

## Timeline

- 2026-09-14: disclosed

## References

- [https://access.redhat.com/downloads/content/package-browser/](https://access.redhat.com/downloads/content/package-browser/)
- [https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-90948](https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-90948)

## 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)