Type Confusion Vulnerability in Artifex Ghostscript
Summary
CVE-2018-19476: psi/zicc.c in Artifex Ghostscript before 9.26 allows remote attackers to bypass intended access restrictions because of a setcolorspace type confusion. Affects ghostscript versions < 9.26-r0. Fixed in 9.26-r0. How to fix ↓
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Background
Artifex Ghostscript is an open-source interpreter for the PostScript language and the PDF file format. It is widely used for rendering and processing PDF documents. However, a vulnerability has been discovered in Ghostscript that allows remote attackers to bypass access restrictions due to a type confusion issue in the psi/zicc.c file. This vulnerability can have severe consequences, potentially leading to unauthorized access or privilege escalation.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability (CVE-2018-19476) in Ghostscript arises from a type confusion issue in the psi/zicc.c file. By exploiting this vulnerability, remote attackers can bypass intended access restrictions. The specific issue occurs during the setcolorspace operation, where the type confusion allows an attacker to manipulate the color space and gain unauthorized access. This can lead to various security risks, including unauthorized data access, privilege escalation, and potential code execution.
How To Fix
Minimum fixed version
9.26-r0
This is the first release that contains the fix.
sudo apk add --upgrade ghostscriptTip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Workaround
As a workaround, until the update is applied, it is advisable to restrict access to Ghostscript and ensure that it is not exposed to untrusted sources. Additionally, implementing network-level security measures, such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems, can help mitigate the risk of exploitation.
Conclusion
The type confusion vulnerability in Artifex Ghostscript can have severe consequences, including unauthorized access and privilege escalation. It is crucial to update Ghostscript to version 9.26 or later to mitigate this vulnerability. Restricting access to Ghostscript and implementing network-level security measures can provide additional protection. For further assistance and support in vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.
See every vulnerability recorded for ghostscript →
FAQ
This vulnerability allows remote attackers to bypass access restrictions and potentially gain unauthorized access or escalate privileges.
At the time of this report, there are no known public exploits for this vulnerability. However, it is essential to apply the recommended fix to mitigate the risk.
Yes, this vulnerability can be exploited remotely by sending a specially crafted request to the vulnerable Ghostscript instance.
No specific prerequisites are required for exploiting this vulnerability. However, the attacker needs network access to the vulnerable Ghostscript instance.
Yes, the CVSS score for this vulnerability is 7.8, indicating a high severity level.
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