# CVE-2018-19409: Security feature bypass in n/a

> Attackers can bypass Ghostscript's LockSafetyParams security feature by using an alternate device, potentially enabling further exploitation.

- **Severity:** Critical 9.8 (`CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 21 Nov 2018
- **Updated:** 5 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** ALPINE-CVE-2018-19409, DEBIAN-CVE-2018-19409, GHSA-xr7x-hc9m-fv57, UBUNTU-CVE-2018-19409

## What is CVE-2018-19409?

CVE-2018-19409 is a critical vulnerability in Artifex Ghostscript, published on 21 Nov 2018. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

An issue was discovered in Artifex Ghostscript before 9.26. LockSafetyParams is not checked correctly if another device is used.

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2018-19409?

It affects 8 products.


Products: Artifex Ghostscript, Canonical Ubuntu Linux, Debian Debian Linux, Redhat Enterprise Linux Desktop, Redhat Enterprise Linux Server, Redhat Enterprise Linux Server Aus, Redhat Enterprise Linux Server Eus, Redhat Enterprise Linux Workstation.

## How do I fix CVE-2018-19409?

Upgrade to a fixed version.

## Is CVE-2018-19409 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2018-19409 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in Artifex Ghostscript

- [CVE-2017-8291](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-8291/): Artifex Ghostscript Type Confusion (high 7.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2021-3781](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-3781/): Command injection in ghostscript (critical 9.9)
- [CVE-2025-27831](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2025-27831/): Memory corruption in n/a (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2025-27832](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2025-27832/): Memory corruption in n/a (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2025-27836](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2025-27836/): Memory corruption in n/a (critical 9.8)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2018-19409 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2018-19409 is a critical vulnerability in Artifex Ghostscript, published on 21 Nov 2018. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2018-19409 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected product: Artifex Ghostscript. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2018-19409/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2018-19409/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2018-19409
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2018-19409
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2018-19409

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2018-19409/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.