CVE-1999-0155 in Ghostscript
Summary
by MITRE
the ghostscript command with the -dsafer option allows remote attackers to execute commands.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/03/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-1999-0155 represents a critical command execution flaw within the Ghostscript document processing system. This issue specifically manifests when Ghostscript is invoked with the -dsafer option, which is designed to provide enhanced security by restricting potentially dangerous operations. However, the implementation contains a fundamental flaw that allows remote attackers to bypass these security restrictions and execute arbitrary commands on the target system. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of command-line arguments and security context management within the Ghostscript interpreter, creating an attack vector that can be exploited over network connections without requiring local system access.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the insufficient validation and sanitization of input parameters when the -dsafer flag is employed. According to CWE-78 principles, this represents a classic command injection vulnerability where attacker-controlled data is concatenated with system commands without proper escaping or filtering mechanisms. The flaw exists in the command execution pathway within Ghostscript's security model, where the -dsafer option fails to properly isolate user input from system command interpretation. This allows attackers to manipulate the command execution flow by injecting malicious payloads through carefully crafted input parameters that ultimately get interpreted as system commands rather than benign document processing operations.
The operational impact of CVE-1999-0155 extends far beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with full system command execution capabilities. This vulnerability enables remote code execution attacks that can result in complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and persistent access to affected systems. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that Ghostscript is commonly deployed in web applications, print servers, and document processing environments where it may be accessible over network connections. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the Ghostscript process, potentially leading to privilege escalation, backdoor installation, and further network reconnaissance activities. The vulnerability affects systems running various versions of Ghostscript and can be exploited through multiple attack vectors including web-based document uploads, email attachments, and direct network exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching and configuration hardening measures. Organizations should prioritize updating to patched versions of Ghostscript that address the command injection flaw in the -dsafer option implementation. System administrators should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of Ghostscript processes to untrusted networks. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by running Ghostscript processes with minimal required permissions and avoiding execution as root or administrative accounts. Network-based mitigations include implementing firewall rules to restrict access to Ghostscript services and monitoring for suspicious command execution patterns. Additionally, input validation should be strengthened through proper parameter sanitization and the use of secure coding practices that prevent command injection vulnerabilities. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, demonstrating how security bypasses can enable attackers to execute malicious commands through legitimate system tools.