CVE-2026-90949 Red Hat CVE debrief

Who should care

Defenders responsible for GIMP installations, especially in environments where untrusted files may be opened, should assess exposure and prioritize updates or additional security measures.

Why it matters

CVE-2026-90949 is a high-severity vulnerability in GIMP's PSP file loader that could lead to crashes or potential code execution when opening maliciously crafted PSP files. Defenders should prioritize verifying and updating GIMP installations, especially in environments where untrusted files may be opened.

• Potential for application crashes when opening malicious PSP files
• Possible arbitrary code execution if exploitation occurs
• Need for verification of GIMP versions and updates in use
• Importance of monitoring for suspicious PSP file openings

Technical summary

The GIMP PSP file loader is vulnerable to a heap-based buffer overflow when processing compressed selection channels. This occurs due to a mismatch between the allocated buffer size and the amount of data decompressed from the PSP file. The vulnerability, CVE-2026-90949, can be triggered by opening a maliciously crafted PSP file in GIMP, potentially leading to a crash or arbitrary code execution. The issue arises from inadequate handling of compressed selection channels in the PSP file loader, highlighting the need for defenders to prioritize verifying and updating GIMP installations.

Defensive priority

Defenders should prioritize verifying and updating GIMP installations, especially in environments where untrusted files may be opened.

Recommended defensive actions

• Verify GIMP installations and update to the latest version
• Implement file type restrictions or additional security checks for PSP files
• Monitor for suspicious PSP file openings in logs
• 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 source item provide details on the vulnerability but do not confirm exploitation or specific affected versions beyond Red Hat Enterprise Linux products. There is no evidence of in-the-wild exploitation or publicly available exploits. Defenders should verify GIMP versions and updates in use, especially in environments where untrusted files may be opened. The lack of explicit information on affected versions requires a cautious approach, prioritizing updates and additional security measures for all GIMP installations.

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.