CVE-2026-90947 Red Hat CVE debrief

Who should care

Defenders in environments where GIMP is used, especially those with users opening files from untrusted sources, should assess exposure and prioritize verification. This includes reviewing GIMP installations for updates, restricting the opening of files from untrusted sources, and monitoring for suspicious preset file openings. Additionally, defenders should consider the potential operational impacts, such as application crashes or instability, and plan for

Why it matters

CVE-2026-90947 is a high-severity vulnerability in GIMP's Lighting Effects filter. Defenders should prioritize verifying GIMP installations, especially in environments where users open files from untrusted sources, to prevent potential crashes or other impacts.

• Potential application crash or instability
• Need for verification of GIMP installations and user behavior

Technical summary

The Lighting Effects filter in GIMP does not properly validate the number of light sources in a preset file, leading to a potential out-of-bounds write. This vulnerability can be exploited by convincing a user to open a malicious preset file, potentially causing a crash or enabling arbitrary code execution. The issue arises from inadequate validation of preset file contents, which can be addressed through updates and verification of GIMP installations, especially in environments where users open files from untrusted sources.

Defensive priority

Defenders should prioritize verifying GIMP installations, especially in environments where users open files from untrusted sources.

Recommended defensive actions

• Verify GIMP installations for updates
• Restrict opening files from untrusted sources
• Monitor for suspicious preset file openings
• Review compensating controls for exposed systems while remediation is scheduled and verified
• Check relevant monitoring, detection, and logs for exposed assets that need extra review
• Track exceptions, retest remediated assets, and close the item only after evidence is documented
• Confirm whether affected product deployments exist in managed environments and assign an owner for follow-up

Evidence notes

The CVE record and NVD entry provide details on the vulnerability, but its scope and remediation require further verification. The vulnerability was reported through a responsible disclosure process and is based on information from official sources, including the CVE Program and NIST NVD. However, the exact impact and affected configurations require additional verification by defenders, especially in environments where GIMP is used and files from untrusted sources are opened.

Sources and references

Methodology and review provenance

AI-assisted synthesis based on stored public vulnerability evidence. System validation, approval state, and publication status do not by themselves establish human review of this revision. PatchSiren helps prioritize defensive review and does not prove exposure or remediation on any system.