Ghostscript up to 9.27 .charkeys PostScript File incorrect privileged apis

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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6.9$0-$5k0.00

A vulnerability classified as critical was found in Ghostscript (Document Processing Software). Affected by this vulnerability is the function .charkeys. The manipulation as part of a PostScript File leads to a incorrect use of privileged apis vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-648. The product does not conform to the API requirements for a function call that requires extra privileges. This could allow attackers to gain privileges by causing the function to be called incorrectly. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

A flaw was found in all versions of ghostscript 9.x before 9.28, where the `.charkeys` procedure, where it did not properly secure its privileged calls, enabling scripts to bypass `-dSAFER` restrictions. An attacker could abuse this flaw by creating a specially crafted PostScript file that could escalate privileges within the Ghostscript and access files outside of restricted areas or execute commands.

The weakness was disclosed 11/15/2019 (oss-sec). The advisory is shared at openwall.com. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2019-14869 since 08/10/2019. The attack can be launched remotely. The exploitation doesn't need any form of authentication. It demands that the victim is doing some kind of user interaction. Technical details are known, but no exploit is available.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 240001 (TencentOS Server 3: ghostscript (TSSA-2022:0123)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 9.28 eliminates this vulnerability.

The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at Tenable (240001). Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

Productinfo

Type

Name

Version

License

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 7.0
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 6.9

VulDB Base Score: 6.3
VulDB Temp Score: 6.0
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 7.3
NVD Vector: 🔍

CNA Base Score: 7.3
CNA Vector (Red Hat, Inc.): 🔍

CVSSv2info

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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
VulDB Temp Score: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Incorrect use of privileged apis
CWE: CWE-648
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔍
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Nessus ID: 240001
Nessus Name: TencentOS Server 3: ghostscript (TSSA-2022:0123)

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍

Upgrade: Ghostscript 9.28
Patch: git.ghostscript.com

Timelineinfo

08/10/2019 🔍
11/15/2019 +97 days 🔍
11/16/2019 +1 days 🔍
06/17/2025 +2040 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Advisory: RHSA-2020:0222
Status: Confirmed
Confirmation: 🔍

CVE: CVE-2019-14869 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2019-14869
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-145837

Entryinfo

Created: 11/16/2019 12:15 PM
Updated: 06/17/2025 04:23 PM
Changes: 11/16/2019 12:15 PM (40), 11/16/2019 12:20 PM (12), 02/20/2024 03:31 PM (4), 02/20/2024 03:37 PM (19), 06/17/2025 04:23 PM (18)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 18:B58:40

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