CVE-2009-0196

Heap-based buffer overflow in the big2_decode_symbol_dict function (jbig2_symbol_dict.c) in the JBIG2 decoding library (jbig2dec) in Ghostscript 8.64, and…

published April 16, 2009

CVSS
—
EPSS
7%
Percentile
94.4
In the wild
Unconfirmed
What it is

⚠️ A sneaky heap-based buffer overflow lurks in Ghostscript's JBIG2 decoding library that could let an attacker run wild with your system! 🔥 Think of it like a restaurant where one overly eager chef adds way too much salt to a dish — the recipe is thrown off, and the whole meal is ruined. In this case, the ghostly chef is the malformed PDF that could send your system into a tailspin! If an attacker exploits this vulnerability, they could execute arbitrary code remotely with a specially crafted PDF file. This could lead to unauthorized access, data corruption, or even complete system takeover — a nightmare scenario for users!

Put simply

Think of it like a restaurant where one overly eager chef adds way too much salt to a dish — the recipe is thrown off, and the whole meal is ruined. In this case, the ghostly chef is the malformed PDF that could send your system into a tailspin! The vulnerability resides in the big2_decode_symbol_dict function in the JBIG2 decoding library of Ghostscript, where it mishandles large run length values, leading to a buffer overflow. This means an attacker can manipulate the memory, potentially allowing them to run malicious code.

What to do

If an attacker exploits this vulnerability, they could execute arbitrary code remotely with a specially crafted PDF file. This could lead to unauthorized access, data corruption, or even complete system takeover — a nightmare scenario for users! To mitigate this risk, it's crucial to update Ghostscript to the latest version, as this vulnerability resides in versions 8.64 and earlier. Regularly audit your applications to ensure you are not using outdated libraries that could expose you to this risk. You can tackle this head-on! By following these steps, you'll have your defenses bolstered in no time! 🛡️

The record
Technical detail
CVSS
Not scored
CVSS v4.0
Not supplied
EPSS
0.07433 · 94.4th percentile
Published
2009-04-16T15:00Z
EPSS history
Timeline
  • 16 APR 15:00Z
    Heap-based buffer overflow in the big2_decode_symbol_dict function (jbig2_symbol_dict.c) in the JBIG2 decoding library (jbig2dec) in Ghostscript 8.64, and…
    cvelistv5