GIMP Denial of Service Vulnerability - CVE-2012-3236 Affected Package: gimp (Click to see all vulnerabilities of this package) See All Vulnerabilities of Package Summary 12/07/2012 Disclosed on N/A Severity 2.8.2-1 Patch N\A CVSS Score See more Background GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is a widely used open-source raster graphics editor known for its versatility in tasks such as photo retouching, image editing, and graphic design. It supports various file formats and offers advanced features like layers, filters, and plugins. However, prior to version 2.8.2-1, GIMP contained a vulnerability in the fits-io.c file that allowed remote attackers to exploit malformed .fit files, leading to application crashes. Vulnerability Detail The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-3236 is a denial of service issue that arises from a NULL pointer dereference in the fits-io.c file of GIMP versions before 2.8.2-1. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by sending specially crafted .fit files with malformed XTENSION headers, causing GIMP to crash. This can disrupt user workflows and potentially expose sensitive data if the application is handling critical tasks. Workaround As a temporary workaround, avoid opening .fit files from untrusted sources until the package is updated to the patched version. Additionally, consider using file validation tools to check the integrity of .fit files before opening them in GIMP. Conclusion CVE-2012-3236 is a significant vulnerability in GIMP that can lead to application crashes when handling malformed .fit files. Users are advised to update to the latest version to mitigate this risk. Temporary workarounds are available, but the best course of action is to apply the patch as soon as possible. For a thorough exploration and assistance in countering such issues, consult the Vulert Vulnerability Database . Share Now On FAQ CVE-2012-3236 is a vulnerability in GIMP that allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service by exploiting malformed .fit files. If you are using a version of GIMP prior to 2.8.2-1, your installation is vulnerable to CVE-2012-3236. If you cannot update GIMP right away, avoid opening .fit files from untrusted sources and consider validating files before use. More information can be found in the official Debian CVE database at storage.googleapis.com/debian-osv/debian-cve-osv/DEBIAN-CVE-2012-3236.json. Yes, Vulert can monitor and alert you for open-source vulnerabilities in your software using a manifest file like package-lock.json. You can check if your application is affected by this vulnerability using the Vulert playground at vulert.com/abom . References https://security-tracker.debian.org/tracker/CVE-2012-3236 Check Also Below are some recent vulnerabilities associated with the gimp package that you should be aware of. 7.8 CVSS Patched The GIMP package is currently vulnerable to a critical remote code execution flaw due to improper handling of PNM files. Users are strongly encouraged to update to the latest patched version to protect their systems from potential exploitation. Addit ... Learn More 7.8 CVSS Patched The CVE-2025-14422 vulnerability in GIMP poses significant risks to users, including potential unauthorized access and data compromise. It is crucial for users to update to the latest version to safeguard their systems. Regular monitoring for vulnera ... Learn More 7.8 CVSS Patched In summary, the vulnerability CVE-2025-14422 poses a significant risk to GIMP users, necessitating immediate action to update to the latest version. By following the outlined steps, users can protect their systems from potential exploitation. ... Learn More to view all vulnerabilities associated with gimp Click Here How To Fix To fix this vulnerability, update GIMP to version 2.8.2-1 or later. You can do this by running the following command in your terminal: 'sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install gimp'. This will ensure that you have the patched version that addresses the vulnerability. Background GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is a widely used open-source raster graphics editor known for its versatility in tasks such as photo retouching, image editing, and graphic design. It supports various file formats and offers advanced features like layers, filters, and plugins. However, prior to version 2.8.2-1, GIMP contained a vulnerability in the fits-io.c file that allowed remote attackers to exploit malformed .fit files, leading to application crashes. Vulnerability Detail The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-3236 is a denial of service issue that arises from a NULL pointer dereference in the fits-io.c file of GIMP versions before 2.8.2-1. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by sending specially crafted .fit files with malformed XTENSION headers, causing GIMP to crash. This can disrupt user workflows and potentially expose sensitive data if the application is handling critical tasks. Workaround As a temporary workaround, avoid opening .fit files from untr