# CVE-2026-90949: GIMP heap-based buffer overflow in PSP file loader

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-90949-gimp-heap-based-buffer-overflow-in-psp-file-loader  
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-2026-90949 · Severity: high · CVSS 7.8 · Published 2026-09-14

GIMP is a widely-used image editing application that supports various file formats including PSP (Paint Shop Pro) files. A heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability in GIMP's PSP file loader can be triggered when opening a malicious PSP file, potentially leading to application crashes or arbitrary code execution on the user's system.

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-90949 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-90949 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-90949?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 7.8, published 14 September 2026.

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

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-90949?** 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-2026-90949 attacked?** It is attacked with local access.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-90949?** Check whether anything you run is named in the advisory. 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 exists in GIMP's PSP file loader due to a mismatch between the allocated buffer size and the amount of data decompressed when processing compressed selection channels. The vulnerability is triggered via network-reachable attack vector (user must open a malicious PSP file), requiring user interaction. An attacker can craft a malicious PSP file that, when opened in GIMP, causes memory corruption leading to a crash (denial of service) or arbitrary code execution. The issue is classified as CWE-787 (Out-of-bounds Write). No mitigation or patch information is currently available according to Red Hat.

## Affected products

- GIMP (GNOME) GIMP <UNKNOWN>

## Timeline

- 2026-09-14: disclosed
- other: Not reported as exploited in the wild as of disclosure date

## References

- [https://access.redhat.com/downloads/content/package-browser/](https://access.redhat.com/downloads/content/package-browser/)
- [https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-90949](https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-90949)