# OSV-2021-1803: UNKNOWN READ in chunk_obj_alloc

> An unknown read error in chunk_obj_alloc can cause a crash, potentially leading to denial of service.

- **Severity:** Not scored
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Not stated
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 17 Jan 2022

## What is OSV-2021-1803?

OSV-2021-1803 is a memory corruption vulnerability in ghostscript, published on 17 Jan 2022. 

### Official description

OSS-Fuzz report: https://bugs.chromium.org/p/oss-fuzz/issues/detail?id=43680

```
Crash type: UNKNOWN READ
Crash state:
chunk_obj_alloc
chunk_alloc_bytes
cmap_endfbrange_func
```

## Which versions are affected by OSV-2021-1803?

1 open source package ship an affected version, including ghostscript.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `ghostscript` | OSS-Fuzz | All versions | None |

## How do I fix OSV-2021-1803?

No fix has been published for OSV-2021-1803 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is OSV-2021-1803 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of OSV-2021-1803 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for OSV-2021-1803 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: OSV-2021-1803 is a memory corruption vulnerability in ghostscript, published on 17 Jan 2022. 
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of OSV-2021-1803 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- ghostscript (OSS-Fuzz): affected all versions; no fix listed

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/OSV-2021-1803/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/OSV-2021-1803/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/OSV-2021-1803

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/OSV-2021-1803/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.