CVE-2026-42170 Gimp: gimp dds plug-in heap-based buffer overflow via bpp mismatch in load_layer() (ddsread.c)

What is CVE-2026-42170?

CVE-2026-42170 is a high-severity memory corruption vulnerability in Redhat Enterprise Linux, published on 8 Aug 2026. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.

Official description

A heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability exists in the GIMP DDS (DirectDraw Surface) file parser. When a crafted DDS file declares a D3D9 pixel format but sets a lower bits-per-pixel (bpp) value in the header, the loader allocates an undersized heap buffer. Subsequent pixel data consumption at the real format's stride causes a write past the heap buffer boundary, leading to heap metadata corruption and potential code execution.

Weakness: CWE-131

Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-42170?

It affects 1 product.

Products include Redhat Enterprise Linux.

How do I fix CVE-2026-42170?

Apply the vendor's patch.

Upgrade to the fixed version. Memory-safe languages, compiler hardening and fuzzing prevent most new cases. More about Memory corruption.

Is CVE-2026-42170 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-42170 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Other vulnerabilities in Redhat Enterprise Linux

• CVE-2018-14667 Red Hat JBoss RichFaces Framework Expression Language Injection Exploited Critical 9.8
• CVE-2021-20325 Missing fixes for CVE-2021-40438 and CVE-2021-26691 in the versions of httpd, as shipped in Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8.5.0, causes a securit Critical 9.8
• CVE-2018-25011 Memory corruption in libwebp Critical 9.8
• CVE-2018-25014 Other in libwebp Critical 9.8
• CVE-2014-3585 Supply chain in redhat-upgrade-tool Critical 9.8

All Redhat Enterprise Linux vulnerabilities

Sources

• CVE record
• NVD
• OSV
• GitHub advisory
• How this page is made

Also known as DEBIAN-CVE-2026-42170, GHSA-h29x-j2gq-hpv4, UBUNTU-CVE-2026-42170.