CVE-2023-38560 : What You Need to Know

Understanding CVE-2023-38560

An integer overflow vulnerability was discovered in Ghostscript's pl_glyph_name function, specifically in pcl/pl/plfont.c:418. This vulnerability could be exploited by a local attacker to trigger a denial of service by converting a maliciously crafted PCL file to PDF format.

What is CVE-2023-38560?

CVE-2023-38560 is an integer overflow vulnerability in Ghostscript that could allow a local attacker to cause a denial of service by manipulating a PCL file to PDF conversion process.

The Impact of CVE-2023-38560

The impact of this vulnerability is considered moderate. If successfully exploited, it could lead to a denial of service condition on the affected system, potentially disrupting normal operations.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-38560

This section provides more in-depth technical details about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

An integer overflow flaw in Ghostscript's pl_glyph_name function could be abused by a local attacker to trigger a denial of service via a manipulated PCL to PDF conversion process.

Affected Systems and Versions

The following systems and versions are impacted by this vulnerability:

Ghostscript
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7
Fedora

Exploitation Mechanism

The integer overflow vulnerability is exploited by a local attacker through crafting a specific PCL file that triggers the issue during the conversion process to PDF format.

Mitigation and Prevention

Here are steps to mitigate the CVE-2023-38560 vulnerability and prevent potential exploitation.

Immediate Steps to Take

Regularly monitor vendor security updates for patches related to Ghostscript and affected operating systems.
Avoid opening untrusted PCL files or documents to minimize the risk of exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement strict file validation and input sanitization mechanisms in software that handles PCL file conversions.
Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify and address vulnerabilities proactively.

Patching and Updates

Apply the latest security patches provided by Ghostscript and affected operating system vendors to remediate the vulnerability and enhance system security.