# CVE-2026-96545: GIMP out-of-bounds heap read in TIM image loader

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-96545-an-out-of-bounds-heap-read-flaw-was-found-in-gimp-s-tim-image  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-09-23. Updated: 2026-09-26  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-96545 · Severity: medium · CVSS 4.4 · Published 2026-09-23

GIMP is a free image editor used to create and manipulate graphics files. When a user opens a maliciously crafted TIM image file, the image loader misallocates memory and reads beyond buffer boundaries, potentially leaking sensitive data from memory or crashing the application. This affects users who open untrusted image files.

Technologies: [Gnome GIMP](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/gnome-gimp). Vendors: [Gnome](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/gnome).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-96545 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-96545 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-96545?** Medium severity, with a CVSS score of 4.4, published 23 September 2026.

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

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-96545?** 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-2026-96545 attacked?** It is attacked with local access.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-96545?** Check whether you run Gnome 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 out-of-bounds heap read flaw exists in GIMP's file-tim plug-in when processing 4bpp TIM images that are promoted to RGBA layers. The plug-in allocates an undersized row buffer but processes it using the larger RGBA row size, causing adjacent heap memory to be read and copied into the decoded image. Attack requires local code execution context with user interaction (opening a crafted file); impacts confidentiality (information disclosure) and availability (potential crash).

## Affected products

- GNOME GIMP

## Timeline

- 2026-09-23: 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-2026-96545](https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-96545)

## Related threats

- [GIMP stack buffer overflow in PSD image resource header loader](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-119528-a-flaw-was-found-in-gimp-the-psd-plug-in-s-image-resource-header)
- [GIMP stack-based buffer overflow in APNG file parsing](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-92183-gimp-apng-file-parsing-stack-based-buffer-overflow-remote-code)
- [GIMP integer overflow in PAA texture file handling](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-62438-a-flaw-was-found-in-gimp-an-attacker-can-cause-a-denial-of)
- [GIMP out-of-bounds write in GIMPressionist plugin](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-97185-a-flaw-was-found-in-gimp-when-processing-a-specially-crafted)