CVE-2025-2760 is a medium-severity remote code execution vulnerability affecting GIMP version 2.10.38, specifically in the parsing of XWD (X Window Dump) image files. The root cause of the vulnerability is an integer overflow (CWE-190) during the processing of user-supplied data within the XWD file parser. When GIMP attempts to allocate memory for the image buffer, it fails to properly validate the size fields extracted from the XWD file. This lack of validation can cause an integer overflow or wraparound, leading to the allocation of an insufficiently sized buffer. Consequently, subsequent operations on the buffer may result in memory corruption. An attacker can exploit this flaw by convincing a user to open a specially crafted malicious XWD file or visit a malicious webpage that triggers GIMP to parse such a file. Successful exploitation allows the attacker to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running GIMP. Since user interaction is required (opening a malicious file or visiting a malicious page), exploitation is not fully automatic but remains a significant risk, especially in environments where GIMP is used to open untrusted image files. No known public exploits or active exploitation in the wild have been reported to date. The vulnerability was reserved on 2025-03-24 and published on 2025-04-23, with enrichment from CISA and assignment by ZDI (ZDI-CAN-25082). No official patches have been linked yet, indicating that mitigation may rely on workarounds or vendor updates in the near term.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability can be considerable, particularly for entities relying on GIMP for image editing, graphic design, or digital content creation. Exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution, potentially allowing attackers to compromise the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of affected systems. This could result in unauthorized access to sensitive data, installation of persistent malware, or disruption of business operations. Organizations in sectors such as media, advertising, education, and government agencies that use GIMP extensively are at higher risk. The requirement for user interaction somewhat limits the attack vector to targeted phishing or social engineering campaigns delivering malicious XWD files. However, given the widespread use of GIMP in creative industries across Europe, the vulnerability could be leveraged in spear-phishing attacks or supply chain compromises. Additionally, the ability to execute code remotely could facilitate lateral movement within networks if exploited on workstations with network access. The absence of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as proof-of-concept code may emerge following public disclosure.

To mitigate this vulnerability effectively, European organizations should: 1) Immediately restrict or monitor the use of GIMP 2.10.38, especially in environments where users may open files from untrusted sources. 2) Educate users about the risks of opening unsolicited or suspicious XWD files and the importance of verifying file origins before opening. 3) Implement application whitelisting and sandboxing for GIMP to limit the impact of potential exploitation. 4) Employ network-level controls to detect and block delivery of malicious XWD files via email or web downloads, including advanced malware scanning for image files. 5) Monitor for unusual process behavior or memory anomalies related to GIMP processes that could indicate exploitation attempts. 6) Coordinate with the GIMP vendor or community for timely patches or updates addressing this vulnerability and prioritize patch deployment once available. 7) Consider disabling or limiting support for XWD file formats in GIMP if feasible, to reduce the attack surface until a patch is released. 8) Maintain up-to-date endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of identifying exploitation techniques related to memory corruption and code execution.