CVE-2017-8908 : Security Advisory and Response
Learn about CVE-2017-8908, a vulnerability in Artifex Ghostscript 9.21 that allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service through a crafted PostScript document. Find out how to mitigate this issue.
Artifex Ghostscript 9.21 is vulnerable to a crafted PostScript document that can lead to a denial of service due to an out-of-bounds read in the mark_line_tr function in gxscanc.c.
Understanding CVE-2017-8908
What is CVE-2017-8908?
The vulnerability in Artifex Ghostscript 9.21 allows remote attackers to exploit the system by causing a denial of service through a specially crafted PostScript document.
The Impact of CVE-2017-8908
This vulnerability can potentially enable remote attackers to disrupt the normal functioning of the system by triggering an out-of-bounds read, leading to a denial of service.
Technical Details of CVE-2017-8908
Vulnerability Description
The mark_line_tr function in gxscanc.c in Artifex Ghostscript 9.21 is susceptible to a denial of service attack via a crafted PostScript document.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Product: Artifex Ghostscript 9.21
- Version: All versions
Exploitation Mechanism
The vulnerability can be exploited remotely by sending a specially crafted PostScript document to the target system.
Mitigation and Prevention
Immediate Steps to Take
- Apply vendor-supplied patches or updates to the affected Artifex Ghostscript version.
- Avoid opening PostScript documents from untrusted sources.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update and patch software to mitigate known vulnerabilities.
- Implement network security measures to prevent unauthorized access to systems.
- Conduct security training for users to recognize and avoid potential threats.
Patching and Updates
Ensure that the Artifex Ghostscript software is updated to the latest version to address and mitigate the vulnerability.