Buffer Overflow Vulnerability in GhostScript v9.50
Summary
CVE-2020-16291: A buffer overflow vulnerability in contrib/gdevdj9.c of Artifex Software GhostScript v9.18 to v9.50 allows a remote attacker to cause a denial of service via a crafted PDF file. Affects ghostscript versions < 9.51-r0. Fixed in 9.51-r0. How to fix ↓
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Background
GhostScript is an open-source interpreter for the PostScript language and the PDF file format. It is widely used for rendering and manipulating PDF files. The vulnerability affects GhostScript version 9.50. GhostScript allows remote attackers to exploit a buffer overflow vulnerability in the contrib/gdevdj9.c file. By sending a crafted PDF file, an attacker can trigger a denial of service (DoS) condition.
Vulnerability Detail
The buffer overflow vulnerability in GhostScript v9.50 occurs in the contrib/gdevdj9.c file. When processing a specially crafted PDF file, the application fails to properly validate the input, leading to a buffer overflow. This vulnerability can be exploited by a remote attacker to cause a DoS condition, potentially crashing the application or causing it to become unresponsive. The impact of this vulnerability is limited to the availability of the affected application and does not allow for remote code execution or privilege escalation.
How To Fix
Minimum fixed version
9.51-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
There is no known workaround for this vulnerability. It is recommended to apply the official patch or update to the latest version of GhostScript.
Conclusion
The buffer overflow vulnerability in GhostScript v9.50 can be exploited by a remote attacker to cause a denial of service (DoS) condition. To mitigate this vulnerability, it is crucial to update GhostScript to version 9.51 or later. This update includes a fix for the buffer overflow issue. For further assistance or support in vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.
See every vulnerability recorded for ghostscript →
FAQ
GhostScript is an open-source interpreter for the PostScript language and the PDF file format. It is commonly used for rendering and manipulating PDF files.
The vulnerability allows a remote attacker to cause a denial of service (DoS) condition by sending a specially crafted PDF file. This can result in the affected application crashing or becoming unresponsive.
No, this vulnerability only allows for a denial of service (DoS) condition. It does not provide the capability for remote code execution or privilege escalation.
To fix this vulnerability, update GhostScript to version 9.51 or later. This update includes a patch that addresses the buffer overflow issue.
There is no known workaround for this vulnerability. It is recommended to update to the latest version of GhostScript.
References
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