CVE-2025-6035 identifies an integer overflow vulnerability in the GIMP image editor's Despeckle plug-in. The vulnerability stems from unchecked multiplication of image parameters—specifically width, height, and bytes-per-pixel (img_bpp)—which can cause the calculation of required memory size to wrap around or overflow. This results in allocating less memory than needed, leading to out-of-bounds writes when the plug-in processes image data. Such heap corruption can destabilize the application, causing denial of service or enabling an attacker to execute arbitrary code under certain conditions. The vulnerability affects GIMP versions included in Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6, a widely used enterprise Linux distribution. Exploitation requires local access with low privileges and user interaction, as the attacker must trigger the Despeckle filter on crafted image files. The CVSS 3.1 base score of 5.5 reflects a medium severity, with attack vector local (AV:L), attack complexity high (AC:H), privileges required low (PR:L), user interaction required (UI:R), and impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability rated low, low, and high respectively. No known exploits have been reported in the wild to date. The vulnerability highlights the risks of improper input validation and memory management in image processing software, especially in plug-ins that handle complex data structures. Organizations relying on GIMP for image editing on Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 should monitor for updates and consider restricting access to vulnerable plug-ins until patches are available.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-6035 can vary depending on the deployment context of GIMP. In environments where GIMP is used for image processing, particularly in media, design, or software development sectors, exploitation could lead to application crashes or denial of service, disrupting workflows. More critically, successful arbitrary code execution could allow attackers to escalate privileges or execute malicious payloads locally, potentially compromising system integrity. While the attack requires local access and user interaction, insider threats or social engineering could facilitate exploitation. The vulnerability could also be leveraged in multi-user systems or shared workstations common in enterprise settings. Given that Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 is still in use in some legacy systems across Europe, especially in industries with long software lifecycle requirements, the risk remains relevant. Disruption or compromise of critical systems due to this vulnerability could affect confidentiality and availability of sensitive data and services. However, the medium severity and exploitation complexity reduce the likelihood of widespread impact. Organizations with strict security policies and limited user privileges will be less exposed, but those with lax controls or outdated software are at higher risk.

To mitigate CVE-2025-6035, European organizations should first verify if GIMP with the vulnerable Despeckle plug-in is installed on their Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 systems. Since no patch links are currently provided, organizations should monitor Red Hat advisories for updates and apply patches promptly once available. In the interim, restricting user access to the Despeckle plug-in or disabling it can reduce attack surface. Implementing strict user privilege management to limit local access and enforcing policies that prevent execution of untrusted image files can help prevent exploitation. Employ application whitelisting and endpoint detection to monitor for anomalous GIMP behavior or unexpected memory corruption events. Regularly updating and hardening Linux systems, including removing unnecessary software, will reduce exposure. Additionally, educating users about the risks of opening untrusted images and encouraging cautious use of image editing tools can mitigate social engineering vectors. For critical environments, consider isolating image processing tasks in sandboxed or containerized environments to contain potential exploitation effects.