Cyber Resilience

CVE-2023-44444

Gimp ≤ 2.10.36

High EPSS
Published
03 May 2024
Modified
04 November 2025
CVSS Score v3 7.8
Click a component to see what it means
Raw vectorCVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
EPSS Score 0.56 99th percentile
Risk Priority 79 floored blend · peak EPSS

Summary

CVE-2023-44444 is a high-severity Off-by-one Error (CWE-193) vulnerability in Gimp Gimp. Its CVSS base score is 7.8 (High).

Operationally, exploitation aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK technique Exploitation for Privilege Escalation (T1068); ranked in the top 1% of CVEs by exploit likelihood; it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

The strongest mitigations our analysis identified map to SA-11 (Developer Testing and Evaluation) and SA-15 (Development Process, Standards, and Tools) — see the control section below for these in your framework.

Deeper analysis AI-assisted summary

Synthesised by an AI model from the NVD description and linked references — a reading aid, not an authoritative source.

GIMP contains an off-by-one vulnerability in its PSP file parser that permits remote code execution on affected installations. The flaw occurs when the parser calculates a write location inside a heap buffer while processing specially crafted data inside a PSP image; successful exploitation grants arbitrary code execution in the context of the GIMP process. The issue was originally reported as ZDI-CAN-22097 and carries a CVSS 3.0 base score of 7.8.

An attacker can exploit the weakness by supplying a malicious PSP file that the victim must open, either directly or by visiting a page that delivers the file. No other privileges are required beyond the ability to induce the user to open the crafted image, after which the attacker gains code execution under the privileges of the running GIMP instance.

The GIMP 2.10.36 release notes and the corresponding Zero Day Initiative advisory ZDI-23-1591 indicate that the vulnerability is resolved in that version; Debian subsequently included the fix in its LTS updates. The EPSS score has remained at 0.5179 since disclosure with no material increase observed.

EU & UK References

Vulnerability Data

GIMP PSP File Parsing Off-By-One Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of GIMP. User interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability in that the target must visit a malicious page…

more

or open a malicious file. The specific flaw exists within the parsing of PSP files. Crafted data in a PSP file can trigger an off-by-one error when calculating a location to write within a heap-based buffer. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current process. . Was ZDI-CAN-22097.

CWE(s)
CWE-193

Related Threats

MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise Techniques

T1068 Exploitation for Privilege Escalation Privilege Escalation
Adversaries may exploit software vulnerabilities in an attempt to elevate privileges.
attack.mitre.org →
T1190 Exploit Public-Facing Application Initial Access
Adversaries may attempt to exploit a weakness in an Internet-facing host or system to initially access a network.
attack.mitre.org →
T1203 Exploitation for Client Execution Execution
Adversaries may exploit software vulnerabilities in client applications to execute code.
attack.mitre.org →
T1210 Exploitation of Remote Services Lateral Movement
Adversaries may exploit remote services to gain unauthorized access to internal systems once inside of a network.
attack.mitre.org →
T1212 Exploitation for Credential Access Credential Access
Adversaries may exploit software vulnerabilities in an attempt to collect credentials.
attack.mitre.org →
Derived from this CVE’s CWE(s) via the direct CWE→ATT&CK cross-walk.

CVEs Like This One

CVE-2026-2050Same product: Gimp Gimp
CVE-2023-44441Same product: Gimp Gimp
CVE-2025-14423Same product: Gimp Gimp
CVE-2023-44442Same product: Gimp Gimp
CVE-2025-14424Same product: Gimp Gimp
CVE-2025-14425Same product: Gimp Gimp
CVE-2025-10923Same product: Gimp Gimp
CVE-2026-4154Same product: Gimp Gimp
CVE-2023-44443Same product: Gimp Gimp
CVE-2025-5473Same product: Gimp Gimp

Affected Assets

gimp
gimp
≤ 2.10.36

Mitigating Controls

Control response

Prevent
Stop it (NIST 800-53)

—

Detect
Catch it (NIST detect / respond)

—

Harden
Shrink the surface (DISA STIG)

—

Validate
Prove the fix (OWASP ASVS)
  • V6.2.1

Mitigating Controls (NIST 800-53 r5) AI

SA-11 Developer Testing and Evaluation good match

Developer testing and evaluation can discover off-by-one errors in loops, bounds, and calculations before deployment.

SA-15 Development Process, Standards, and Tools partial match

Requiring documented development standards and tools can embed bounds-checking and arithmetic-correctness rules that stop off-by-one mistakes at introduction.

Mitigating Controls (NIST CSF 2.0) AI

Derived directly from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry via our AI-authored CWE→CSF cross-walk (authority under review) — links open the control.

PR.PS-06 mostly match
prevents

Secure SDLC practices directly prevent off-by-one errors via reviews, static analysis, and testing.

Mitigating Controls (ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Annex A) AI

Derived directly from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry via our AI-authored CWE→ISO cross-walk (authority under review) — links open the control.

A.8.29 Security testing in development and acceptance mostly match
finds

Security testing in development and acceptance can detect off-by-one errors before release.

A.8.25 Secure development life cycle partial match
prevents

Secure development life cycle includes requirements and reviews that can catch off-by-one errors.

A.8.26 Application security requirements partial match
prevents

Application security requirements can specify bounds-checking and input validation to prevent off-by-one errors.

A.8.27 Secure system architecture and engineering principles partial match
prevents

Secure system architecture and engineering principles promote defensive coding practices that reduce off-by-one mistakes.

A.8.28 Secure coding partial match
prevents

Secure coding directly addresses off-by-one errors through coding standards and peer review.

References