CVE-2025-48797 is a heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability discovered in the GNU Image Manipulation Program (GIMP) when processing certain TGA (Targa) image files. This vulnerability arises due to improper handling of specially crafted TGA files, which can cause GIMP to perform out-of-bounds memory writes on the heap. When a user opens a maliciously crafted TGA image, the flaw can trigger serious memory corruption, leading to application crashes and potentially allowing an attacker to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running GIMP. The vulnerability affects Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 Extended Lifecycle Support, indicating that the flaw exists in the version of GIMP packaged with this distribution. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.3, categorized as high severity, with vector metrics indicating local attack vector (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), requiring low privileges (PR:L), and user interaction (UI:R). The impact includes high confidentiality, integrity, and availability consequences, meaning that exploitation could lead to data disclosure, modification, or denial of service. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches or mitigation links were provided at the time of publication. The vulnerability was reserved and published in late May 2025, with Red Hat as the assigner. This flaw is significant because GIMP is a widely used open-source image editor, and TGA files are a common image format in certain industries such as game development and digital content creation. The heap overflow nature of the vulnerability makes exploitation potentially complex but feasible, especially in environments where users frequently open untrusted image files. Given the requirement for user interaction and local access, the threat is mainly to end-users and workstations rather than remote servers, but the high impact on confidentiality and integrity elevates the risk profile.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk primarily to users who handle image files, particularly in sectors like media, digital content creation, gaming, and graphic design where GIMP and TGA files are prevalent. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution, allowing attackers to compromise user systems, steal sensitive data, or disrupt operations by crashing the application or the host system. This could result in intellectual property theft, data breaches, or operational downtime. Since Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 Extended Lifecycle Support is used in enterprise environments, organizations relying on this OS version for workstations or specialized systems may be vulnerable. The requirement for user interaction limits the threat to scenarios where users open malicious files, but phishing or social engineering campaigns could facilitate this. The high confidentiality and integrity impact means that sensitive corporate data could be exposed or altered. Additionally, availability impacts could disrupt workflows dependent on GIMP for image processing. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the potential for future exploitation. European organizations with strict data protection regulations (e.g., GDPR) must consider the risk of data exposure and the associated compliance implications.

Organizations should implement the following specific mitigation measures: 1) Immediately monitor for and apply any patches or updates from Red Hat or the GIMP project addressing CVE-2025-48797 once available. 2) Restrict the use of GIMP to trusted users and environments, especially limiting the opening of TGA files from unverified or external sources. 3) Employ endpoint security solutions capable of detecting anomalous behavior or memory corruption indicative of exploitation attempts. 4) Educate users on the risks of opening unsolicited or suspicious image files, emphasizing cautious handling of TGA files. 5) Consider deploying application whitelisting or sandboxing techniques to isolate GIMP processes and limit the impact of potential exploits. 6) For environments where GIMP is not essential, evaluate the possibility of removing or disabling the application to reduce attack surface. 7) Implement network segmentation to limit lateral movement if a workstation is compromised. 8) Regularly audit and monitor logs for unusual crashes or application errors related to GIMP that could indicate exploitation attempts. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on controlling file sources, user behavior, and containment strategies tailored to this vulnerability's characteristics.