CVE-2016-7979 Code injection in n/a

Critical 9.8 Published 23 May 2017 Updated 6 Aug 2024

Remote attackers can bypass SAFER mode and execute arbitrary code via type confusion in Ghostscript's DSC parser.

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

What is CVE-2016-7979?

CVE-2016-7979 is a critical code injection 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

Ghostscript before 9.21 might allow remote attackers to bypass the SAFER mode protection mechanism and consequently execute arbitrary code by leveraging type confusion in .initialize_dsc_parser.

Weakness: CWE-704

Which versions are affected by CVE-2016-7979?

It affects 1 product.

Products include Artifex Ghostscript.

How do I fix CVE-2016-7979?

Upgrade to a fixed version.

Upgrade, and never evaluate templates, expressions or code built from user input. More about Code injection.

Is CVE-2016-7979 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2016-7979 in the wild and no public exploit code.

All Artifex Ghostscript vulnerabilities

Sources

Also known as DEBIAN-CVE-2016-7979, GHSA-vwgm-gwqf-q8px, UBUNTU-CVE-2016-7979.