CVE-2016-7978 Use after free in n/a

Critical 9.8 Published 23 May 2017 Updated 6 Aug 2024

Remote attackers can execute arbitrary code via a use-after-free vulnerability in Ghostscript's .setdevice function.

Exploited in the wild: Not known
Login needed: Not needed
Attackable: Over the internet
Victim action needed: Not needed
Fix: Available

What is CVE-2016-7978?

CVE-2016-7978 is a critical use after free vulnerability in Artifex Ghostscript, published on 23 May 2017. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

Official description

Use-after-free vulnerability in Ghostscript 9.20 might allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via vectors related to a reference leak in .setdevice.

Weakness: CWE-416

Which versions are affected by CVE-2016-7978?

It affects 1 product.

Products include Artifex Ghostscript.

How do I fix CVE-2016-7978?

Upgrade to a fixed version.

Upgrade to the fixed version. These bugs are found with fuzzing and sanitisers and avoided by memory-safe languages. More about Use after free.

Is CVE-2016-7978 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2016-7978 in the wild and no public exploit code.

All Artifex Ghostscript vulnerabilities

Sources

Also known as DEBIAN-CVE-2016-7978, GHSA-jp8p-fj2v-5982, UBUNTU-CVE-2016-7978.