Quote: ... Ubuntu 18.04-based linux distro ..
I wonder which one ? You can install a flatpak without un-installing the Gimp 2.8.22 installed from the repo. Both can co-exist. The flatpak is sandboxed so I do not know how it works where that zero-size csv file is required.
Other options for 'buntu 18.04
You can use a Gimp-2.10.22 appimage
https://github.com/aferrero2707/gimp-app...4.AppImage
This is a 'portable' version, no need to remove your existing 2.8.22, comes with python support. Make it executable, run it. Plugins go in ~/.config/GIMP-AppImage/2.10/plug-ins/ I use this one every day in kubuntu 18.04
Install from a 'buntu PPA https://launchpad.net/~ubuntuhandbook1/+...buntu/gimp for 'buntu 18.04 (bionic) you again get Gimp 2.10.22 This one will replace your existing Gimp.