CVE-2018-19476 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A type confusion vulnerability in Artifex Ghostscript versions prior to 9.26 allows remote attackers to bypass access restrictions. Learn about the impact, technical details, and mitigation steps.

Understanding CVE-2018-19476

Artifex Ghostscript versions prior to 9.26 are affected by a type confusion vulnerability that can be exploited by remote attackers.

What is CVE-2018-19476?

This vulnerability exists in the setcolorspace function in Artifex Ghostscript, enabling attackers to bypass intended access restrictions in the psi/zicc.c file.

The Impact of CVE-2018-19476

The vulnerability allows remote attackers to circumvent intended access restrictions, potentially leading to unauthorized access and other security breaches.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-19476

Artifex Ghostscript before version 9.26 is susceptible to a type confusion vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The setcolorspace function in psi/zicc.c allows remote attackers to bypass access restrictions due to a type confusion issue.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Artifex Ghostscript
Vendor: Artifex
Versions affected: All versions prior to 9.26

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability remotely to bypass intended access restrictions, potentially gaining unauthorized access to systems.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2018-19476, follow these mitigation steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Artifex Ghostscript to version 9.26 or later.
Monitor vendor advisories for patches and updates.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and apply security patches.
Implement network segmentation to limit the impact of potential attacks.
Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing.

Patching and Updates

Apply the latest patches and updates provided by Artifex to mitigate the vulnerability and enhance system security.