Artifex Ghostscript 9.50 contrib/gdevbjca.c FloydSteinbergDitheringC PDF File out-of-bounds write
| CVSS Meta Temp Score | Current Exploit Price (≈) | CTI Interest Score |
|---|---|---|
| 6.3 | $0-$5k | 0.00 |
Summary
A vulnerability categorized as critical has been discovered in Artifex Ghostscript 9.50. This impacts the function FloydSteinbergDitheringC of the file contrib/gdevbjca.c. The manipulation as part of PDF File results in out-of-bounds write.
This vulnerability is reported as CVE-2020-16297. The attack can be launched remotely. No exploit exists.
It is advisable to upgrade the affected component.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Details
A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, was found in Artifex Ghostscript 9.50 (Document Processing Software). Affected is the function FloydSteinbergDitheringC of the file contrib/gdevbjca.c. The manipulation as part of a PDF File leads to a out-of-bounds write vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-787. The product writes data past the end, or before the beginning, of the intended buffer. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:
A buffer overflow vulnerability in FloydSteinbergDitheringC() in contrib/gdevbjca.c of Artifex Software GhostScript v9.50 allows a remote attacker to cause a denial of service via a crafted PDF file. This is fixed in v9.51.
The weakness was disclosed 08/13/2020. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2020-16297 since 08/03/2020. It is possible to launch the attack remotely. The exploitation doesn't require any form of authentication. Technical details are known, but there is no available exploit.
Upgrading to version 9.51 eliminates this vulnerability.
The entries VDB-159766, VDB-159765, VDB-159764 and VDB-159763 are pretty similar. VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Product
Type
Vendor
Name
Version
License
Website
- Vendor: https://artifex.com/
CPE 2.3
CPE 2.2
CVSSv4
VulDB Vector: 🔍VulDB Reliability: 🔍
CVSSv3
VulDB Meta Base Score: 6.4VulDB Meta Temp Score: 6.3
VulDB Base Score: 7.3
VulDB Temp Score: 7.0
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍
NVD Base Score: 5.5
NVD Vector: 🔍
CVSSv2
| AV | AC | Au | C | I | A |
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| 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 |
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| Vector | Complexity | Authentication | Confidentiality | Integrity | Availability |
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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
VulDB Temp Score: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍
NVD Base Score: 🔍
Exploiting
Class: Out-of-bounds writeCWE: CWE-787 / CWE-119
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍
Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: Yes
Availability: 🔍
Status: Not defined
EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍
Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍
| 0-Day | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Today | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock |
Threat Intelligence
Interest: 🔍Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍
Countermeasures
Recommended: UpgradeStatus: 🔍
0-Day Time: 🔍
Upgrade: Ghostscript 9.51
Timeline
08/03/2020 🔍08/13/2020 🔍
08/13/2020 🔍
02/02/2026 🔍
Sources
Vendor: artifex.comStatus: Confirmed
CVE: CVE-2020-16297 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2020-16297
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-159762
See also: 🔍
Entry
Created: 08/13/2020 01:02 PMUpdated: 02/02/2026 01:30 PM
Changes: 08/13/2020 01:02 PM (38), 08/13/2020 01:07 PM (18), 03/04/2025 10:59 PM (16), 02/02/2026 01:27 PM (2), 02/02/2026 01:30 PM (6)
Complete: 🔍
Committer: lywand
Cache ID: 244:57F:40
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