CVE-2002-0838 in gv
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in (1) gv 3.5.8 and earlier, (2) gvv 1.0.2 and earlier, (3) ggv 1.99.90 and earlier, (4) gnome-gv, and (5) kghostview in kdegraphics 2.2.2 and earlier, allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via a malformed (a) PDF or (b) PostScript file, which is processed by an unsafe call to sscanf.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/13/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2002-0838 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw affecting multiple graphics rendering applications within the KDE graphics suite. This vulnerability specifically impacts gv 3.5.8 and earlier versions, gvv 1.0.2 and earlier, ggv 1.99.90 and earlier, gnome-gv, and kghostview in kdegraphics 2.2.2 and earlier. The flaw stems from unsafe handling of malformed input files during the processing of PDF and PostScript documents, creating a significant security risk for users who may encounter maliciously crafted documents.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the applications' reliance on unsafe sscanf function calls when parsing input files. The sscanf function does not perform bounds checking on the input data, allowing attackers to provide malformed data that exceeds the allocated buffer space. This buffer overflow condition occurs when the application attempts to parse a PDF or PostScript file containing specially crafted data that triggers the unsafe sscanf operation. The vulnerability is classified as a buffer overflow under CWE-121, which specifically addresses situations where data is copied into a buffer without proper bounds checking, and more broadly as CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write conditions that can lead to arbitrary code execution.
When exploited, this vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the affected application. The attack typically involves crafting a malicious PDF or PostScript file that, when opened by any of the vulnerable applications, triggers the buffer overflow condition. This exploitation can lead to complete system compromise, as the attacker can inject and execute malicious code within the application's memory space. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through normal document processing operations, making it difficult for users to identify when they might be exposed to such attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it represents a serious threat to the integrity of desktop environments using the affected KDE graphics applications. Users who regularly process PDF or PostScript documents are at risk, particularly in environments where they may encounter untrusted documents from external sources. The vulnerability affects a wide range of applications that are commonly used in business and academic settings, making it a significant concern for organizations that rely on these graphics rendering tools. From an ATT&CK perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, specifically the use of shellcode execution through buffer overflow conditions, and T1133 for external remote services, as the attack can be delivered through document attachments.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate patching of all affected applications to versions that properly implement bounds checking and safe string handling. System administrators should ensure that all KDE graphics applications are updated to versions that address this specific buffer overflow issue. Additional protective measures include implementing content filtering for PDF and PostScript documents, particularly in environments where users may encounter untrusted files, and educating users about the risks of opening documents from unknown sources. Organizations should also consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms for document processing applications and monitoring for suspicious file access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of proper input validation and bounds checking in software development, particularly for applications that process untrusted data from external sources.