CVE-2017-8291 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Learn about CVE-2017-8291, a vulnerability in Artifex Ghostscript allowing remote command execution by bypassing -dSAFER restriction. Find out the impact, affected systems, exploitation method, and mitigation steps.
Artifex Ghostscript through 2017-04-26 had a vulnerability that allowed for the bypassing of the -dSAFER restriction and the execution of remote commands. This type confusion vulnerability was exploited in real-world attacks in April 2017.
Understanding CVE-2017-8291
Artifex Ghostscript vulnerability allowing -dSAFER bypass and remote command execution.
What is CVE-2017-8291?
CVE-2017-8291 is a vulnerability in Artifex Ghostscript that enabled the execution of remote commands by bypassing the -dSAFER restriction. It involved a type confusion issue with the .rsdparams file.
The Impact of CVE-2017-8291
This vulnerability could be exploited by including a specific substring in a manipulated .eps document, allowing attackers to execute remote commands. It was observed being actively exploited in April 2017.
Technical Details of CVE-2017-8291
Details of the vulnerability in Artifex Ghostscript.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability in Artifex Ghostscript allowed for the bypassing of the -dSAFER restriction and the execution of remote commands through a type confusion issue with the .rsdparams file.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Product: Not applicable
- Vendor: Not applicable
- Versions affected: Not applicable
Exploitation Mechanism
The vulnerability could be triggered by including the substring "/OutputFile (%pipe%" in a manipulated .eps document used as input for the gs program.
Mitigation and Prevention
Ways to mitigate and prevent the CVE-2017-8291 vulnerability.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Update Artifex Ghostscript to the latest version to patch the vulnerability.
- Be cautious when handling .eps documents from untrusted sources.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update and patch software to prevent known vulnerabilities.
- Implement proper input validation and sanitization techniques to mitigate similar issues.
Patching and Updates
Ensure that all systems running Artifex Ghostscript are updated with the latest security patches to address the vulnerability.