CVE-2026-59089 Overview
CVE-2026-59089 is an integer overflow vulnerability [CWE-190] in the GNU Image Manipulation Program (GIMP) PlayStation TIM image loader. The flaw occurs when the plug-in calculates the Color Look-Up Table (CLUT) size by multiplying num_colors and num_cluts, both 16-bit unsigned short integers. The multiplication result can exceed the maximum integer boundary, producing undefined behavior. An attacker who convinces a user to open a specially crafted TIM file can force the GIMP plug-in to abort, resulting in a denial of service against the image processing workflow.
Critical Impact
Local attackers can crash the GIMP TIM loader through a malicious PlayStation image file, causing denial of service on the affected plug-in.
Affected Products
- GNU Image Manipulation Program (GIMP)
- GIMP PlayStation TIM file loader plug-in
- Distributions bundling vulnerable GIMP builds (see Red Hat advisory)
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-07-06 - CVE-2026-59089 published to the National Vulnerability Database
- 2026-07-07 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-59089
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability resides in the GIMP PlayStation TIM loader, which parses image files that use the CLUT format from PlayStation graphics. The loader reads two 16-bit unsigned short values, num_colors and num_cluts, directly from attacker-controlled file headers. It multiplies these values to size the CLUT allocation without checking for arithmetic overflow.
Because both operands are unsigned short, integer promotion rules and downstream casts can produce a value that wraps or exceeds the intended integer bounds. The resulting size feeds subsequent allocation and parsing routines. When the miscalculated size is consumed by later code paths, the plug-in triggers an abort condition and terminates the loader process. This produces a denial of service rather than memory corruption, but disrupts image handling workflows.
Root Cause
The root cause is missing overflow validation on the product of two 16-bit values used to compute CLUT size. Robust parsing requires either promoting operands to a wider integer type before multiplication or explicitly checking that num_colors * num_cluts fits within the allocation ceiling. Neither guard is present in the vulnerable code path. This is a textbook [CWE-190] Integer Overflow or Wraparound defect.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires local access and user interaction. A user must open a crafted .tim file in GIMP or preview it through a workflow that invokes the TIM loader. Delivery methods include email attachments, downloaded archives, or shared design assets. The attack does not yield code execution or data disclosure; the impact is limited to availability of the GIMP plug-in.
See the Red Hat CVE Advisory, the Red Hat Bug Report, and the GNOME GIMP Work Item for tracking and technical details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-59089
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected GIMP process aborts or crash reports referencing the TIM loader plug-in
- Presence of untrusted .tim files delivered via email, chat, or shared drives
- Core dumps or SIGABRT signals from GIMP correlated with opening PlayStation image assets
Detection Strategies
- Monitor endpoint logs for repeated GIMP crashes tied to image file open events
- Inspect file gateways and mail filters for .tim attachments from unverified senders
- Correlate user-reported application failures with recent file access telemetry
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable crash reporting on workstations running GIMP and forward telemetry to a central log store
- Alert on abnormal termination of gimp or gimp-console processes shortly after file open activity
- Track version inventory of GIMP installations to identify unpatched hosts
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-59089
Immediate Actions Required
- Apply the vendor patch once published through the GNOME GIMP Work Item and downstream distribution channels
- Restrict opening of untrusted .tim files until a patched build is deployed
- Advise users to validate the source of PlayStation image files before importing them into GIMP
Patch Information
Refer to the Red Hat CVE Advisory for distribution-specific package updates and the Red Hat Bug Report for fix tracking. Upstream remediation is tracked in the GNOME GIMP work item. The fix promotes CLUT size arithmetic to a wider type and validates the product against allocation limits before use.
Workarounds
- Disable or remove the TIM loader plug-in on systems that do not require PlayStation image support
- Block .tim attachments at mail and web gateways for user populations that do not process PlayStation graphics
- Run GIMP under a restricted user account to contain the impact of a plug-in abort
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
