Stack-buffer-overflow in pdfi_read_cff_dict in ghostscript

ghostscript Updated 02 Oct 2025

Summary

14/12/2021

Disclosed on

HIGH

Severity

Yes i

Fix available

High

Severity

Not published

CVSS Score

OSV-2021-1694: Stack-buffer-overflow in pdfi_read_cff_dict. Affects ghostscript versions >= 75fbddf52051987287e62d13c659eb73ba16982f, < 0c4e9f7312637d512fec2b806570bfbea9da1aff. Fixed in 0c4e9f7312637d512fec2b806570bfbea9da1aff. 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 converting PostScript and PDF files. The vulnerability, identified as OSV-2021-1694, affects the pdfi_read_cff_dict function in Ghostscript. This function is responsible for reading Compact Font Format (CFF) dictionaries in PDF files. The vulnerability allows for a stack-buffer-overflow WRITE 4, which can lead to a crash or potential code execution.

Vulnerability Detail

The vulnerability arises from a stack-buffer-overflow WRITE 4 in the pdfi_read_cff_dict function. This can be triggered when processing CFF dictionaries in PDF files. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by crafting a malicious PDF file that triggers the overflow when parsed by Ghostscript. If successfully exploited, this vulnerability could lead to a crash or potentially allow arbitrary code execution.

How To Fix

Minimum fixed version

0c4e9f7312637d512fec2b806570bfbea9da1aff

This is the first release that contains the fix.

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Workaround

No specific workaround has been provided for this vulnerability.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the vulnerability identified as OSV-2021-1694 affects the pdfi_read_cff_dict function in Ghostscript. It allows for a stack-buffer-overflow WRITE 4, which can result in a crash or potential code execution. Users are advised to update their Ghostscript installations to a version that includes the fix. For further support on vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.

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