Vulnerability · Published Feb 20, 2026 · Assigned by zdi
CVE-2026-2044GIMP PGM File Parsing Uninitialized Memory Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
High 8.8
In plain English
A high-severity security flaw in GIMP from GIMP. There are no confirmed reports of exploitation so far. The chance it is exploited in the next 30 days is estimated at 1.1% (higher than 66% of all known vulnerabilities). Fixed versions are available - upgrade the affected package.
Official description
GIMP PGM File Parsing Uninitialized Memory Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of GIMP. User interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability in that the target must visit a malicious page or open a malicious file. The specific flaw exists within the parsing of PGM files. The issue results from the lack of proper initialization of memory prior to accessing it. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current process. Was ZDI-CAN-28158.
Affected packages & fixed versions
| Ecosystem | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| AlmaLinux:8 | gimp | 2:2.8.22-26.module_el8.10.0+4137+2d0d25cf.5 | ALSA-2026:5113 |
| AlmaLinux:9 | gimp | 2:3.0.4-1.el9_7.4 | ALSA-2026:4173 |
| AlmaLinux:8 | gimp-devel | 2:2.8.22-26.module_el8.10.0+4137+2d0d25cf.5 | ALSA-2026:5113 |
| AlmaLinux:8 | gimp-devel-tools | 2:2.8.22-26.module_el8.10.0+4137+2d0d25cf.5 | ALSA-2026:5113 |
| AlmaLinux:8 | gimp-libs | 2:2.8.22-26.module_el8.10.0+4137+2d0d25cf.5 | ALSA-2026:5113 |
| AlmaLinux:9 | gimp-libs | 2:3.0.4-1.el9_7.4 | ALSA-2026:4173 |
| AlmaLinux:8 | pygobject2 | 2.28.7-5.module_el8.10.0+3952+571e801c | ALSA-2026:5113 |
| AlmaLinux:8 | pygobject2-codegen | 2.28.7-5.module_el8.10.0+4137+2d0d25cf | ALSA-2026:5113 |
| AlmaLinux:8 | pygobject2-codegen | 2.28.7-5.module_el8.10.0+3952+571e801c | ALSA-2026:5113 |
| AlmaLinux:8 | pygobject2-devel | 2.28.7-5.module_el8.10.0+4137+2d0d25cf | ALSA-2026:5113 |
| AlmaLinux:8 | pygobject2-devel | 2.28.7-5.module_el8.10.0+3952+571e801c | ALSA-2026:5113 |
| AlmaLinux:8 | pygobject2-doc | 2.28.7-5.module_el8.10.0+3952+571e801c | ALSA-2026:5113 |
| AlmaLinux:8 | pygobject2-doc | 2.28.7-5.module_el8.10.0+4137+2d0d25cf | ALSA-2026:5113 |
| AlmaLinux:8 | pygtk2 | 2.24.0-25.module_el8.9.0+3725+d1441900 | ALSA-2026:5113 |
| AlmaLinux:8 | pygtk2-codegen | 2.24.0-25.module_el8.9.0+3725+d1441900 | ALSA-2026:5113 |
| AlmaLinux:8 | pygtk2-devel | 2.24.0-25.module_el8.9.0+3725+d1441900 | ALSA-2026:5113 |
| AlmaLinux:8 | pygtk2-doc | 2.24.0-25.module_el8.9.0+3725+d1441900 | ALSA-2026:5113 |
| AlmaLinux:8 | python2-cairo | 1.16.3-7.module_el8.10.0+3952+571e801c | ALSA-2026:5113 |
| AlmaLinux:8 | python2-cairo-devel | 1.16.3-7.module_el8.10.0+3952+571e801c | ALSA-2026:5113 |
| AlmaLinux:8 | python2-cairo-devel | 1.16.3-7.module_el8.10.0+4137+2d0d25cf | ALSA-2026:5113 |
| Debian:12 | gimp | 2.10.34-1+deb12u9 | DSA-6156-1 |
| Debian:12 | gimp | 2.10.34-1+deb12u9 | DEBIAN-CVE-2026-2044 |
| Debian:13 | gimp | 3.0.4-3+deb13u7 | DEBIAN-CVE-2026-2044 |
| Debian:13 | gimp | 3.0.4-3+deb13u7 | DSA-6156-1 |
| Debian:14 | gimp | 3.2.0~RC2-1 | DEBIAN-CVE-2026-2044 |
| Rocky Linux:8 | gimp | 2:2.8.22-26.module+el8.10.0+40075+a21479b4.4 | RLSA-2026:5113 |
| Rocky Linux:8 | gimp | 2:2.8.22-26.module+el8.10.0+1998+a08ccc48.2 | RLSA-2026:5113 |
| Rocky Linux:8 | gimp | 2:2.8.22-26.module+el8.10.0+1927+52edb5a0 | RLSA-2026:5113 |
| Rocky Linux:8 | gimp | 2:2.8.22-26.module+el8.10.0+40033+6fd27379.3 | RLSA-2026:5113 |
| Rocky Linux:9 | gimp | 2:3.0.4-1.el9_7.4 | RLSA-2026:4173 |
| Rocky Linux:8 | pygobject2 | 0:2.28.7-5.module+el8.10.0+1927+52edb5a0 | RLSA-2026:5113 |
| Rocky Linux:8 | pygtk2 | 0:2.24.0-25.module+el8.9.0+1723+9bc93544 | RLSA-2026:5113 |
| Rocky Linux:8 | python2-pycairo | 0:1.16.3-7.module+el8.10.0+1927+52edb5a0 | RLSA-2026:5113 |
| Ubuntu:25.10 | gimp | no fix listed | UBUNTU-CVE-2026-2044 |
Affected products (as reported)
Weakness: CWE-908 · Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
References
- ZDI-26-118 x_research-advisory
- vendor-provided URL vendor-advisory
- https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-2044 vdb-entry, x_refsource_REDHAT
- RHBZ#2441521 issue-tracking, x_refsource_REDHAT
- https://security.access.redhat.com/data/csaf/v2/vex/2026/cve-2026-2044.json x_sadp-csaf-vex
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:5113 vendor-advisory, x_refsource_REDHAT
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:5435 vendor-advisory, x_refsource_REDHAT
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:5436 vendor-advisory, x_refsource_REDHAT
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:5434 vendor-advisory, x_refsource_REDHAT
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:5437 vendor-advisory, x_refsource_REDHAT
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:5390 vendor-advisory, x_refsource_REDHAT
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:5389 vendor-advisory, x_refsource_REDHAT
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:5391 vendor-advisory, x_refsource_REDHAT
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:5388 vendor-advisory, x_refsource_REDHAT
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:4173 vendor-advisory, x_refsource_REDHAT