CVE-2018-16541 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Learn about CVE-2018-16541, a vulnerability in Artifex Ghostscript versions prior to 9.24 that could allow attackers to crash the interpreter by exploiting incorrect free logic in the pagedevice replacement.
Artifex Ghostscript versions prior to 9.24 are vulnerable to a flaw that could allow attackers to crash the interpreter by providing manipulated PostScript files. This vulnerability stems from incorrect free logic in the pagedevice replacement.
Understanding CVE-2018-16541
Artifex Ghostscript versions prior to 9.24 are susceptible to a crash vulnerability due to incorrect free logic in the pagedevice replacement.
What is CVE-2018-16541?
CVE-2018-16541 is a vulnerability in Artifex Ghostscript versions before 9.24 that could be exploited by attackers using manipulated PostScript files to crash the interpreter.
The Impact of CVE-2018-16541
The vulnerability in CVE-2018-16541 could lead to a denial of service (DoS) condition by crashing the interpreter when processing malicious PostScript files.
Technical Details of CVE-2018-16541
Artifex Ghostscript versions prior to 9.24 are affected by a vulnerability that allows attackers to crash the interpreter.
Vulnerability Description
The flaw in Artifex Ghostscript versions before 9.24 arises from incorrect free logic in the pagedevice replacement, which can be exploited by attackers using manipulated PostScript files.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Product: Not applicable
- Vendor: Not applicable
- Versions affected: Not applicable
Exploitation Mechanism
Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by providing manipulated PostScript files that utilize incorrect free logic in the pagedevice replacement, causing the interpreter to crash.
Mitigation and Prevention
To address CVE-2018-16541, users and organizations should take immediate steps and implement long-term security practices.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Update Artifex Ghostscript to version 9.24 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
- Avoid opening or processing untrusted PostScript files.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update software and apply security patches promptly.
- Implement file type and content validation mechanisms to prevent the execution of malicious PostScript files.
Patching and Updates
Ensure that all systems running Artifex Ghostscript are updated to version 9.24 or above to patch the vulnerability.