CVE-2025-5473
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by tricking users into opening malicious ICO files in GIMP. An integer overflow during ICO file parsing enables memory corruption that can lead to remote code execution. All GIMP users who open untrusted ICO files are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program)
📦 What is this software?
Gimp by Gimp
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete system compromise with attacker gaining the same privileges as the GIMP user, potentially leading to lateral movement, data theft, or ransomware deployment.
Likely Case
Local privilege escalation or malware installation on the user's system when opening a malicious ICO file from email, downloads, or web sources.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if running GIMP with reduced privileges, in sandboxed environments, or with strict file validation policies.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires user interaction (opening malicious file) but no authentication. The vulnerability is well-documented and weaponization is likely given the RCE potential.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: GIMP 3.0.4 and later
Vendor Advisory: https://www.gimp.org/news/2025/05/18/gimp-3-0-4-released/#general-bugfixes
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Download GIMP 3.0.4 or later from official sources. 2. Install the update following standard procedures for your OS. 3. Verify the update completed successfully.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable ICO file handling
allRemove or modify file associations to prevent GIMP from automatically opening ICO files
# Linux: Use file manager settings or mime-type configuration
# Windows: Use 'Default Apps' settings to change ICO file association
# macOS: Use 'Get Info' on ICO files to change default application
Run GIMP with reduced privileges
allExecute GIMP with limited user permissions to contain potential exploitation
# Linux: sudo -u restricted_user gimp
# Windows: Run as standard user (not administrator)
# macOS: Use standard user account
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement application whitelisting to block execution of malicious payloads
- Use sandboxing solutions to isolate GIMP from critical system resources
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check GIMP version: if earlier than 3.0.4, system is vulnerableCheck Version:
gimp --versionVerify Fix Applied:
Confirm GIMP version is 3.0.4 or later and test opening known-safe ICO files📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- GIMP crash logs with memory access violations
- Unexpected process creation from GIMP
- Failed ICO file parsing attempts
Network Indicators:
- Downloads of ICO files from suspicious sources
- Outbound connections from GIMP process
SIEM Query:
Process Creation where Parent Process Name contains 'gimp' AND Command Line contains unusual parameters