CVE-2005-2536 in pstotext
Summary
by MITRE
pstotext before 1.8g does not properly use the "-dSAFER" option when calling Ghostscript to extract plain text from PostScript and PDF files, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via a malicious PostScript file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/09/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-2536 affects the pstotext utility version 1.8g and earlier, which is part of the Ghostscript suite used for extracting plain text from PostScript and PDF documents. This flaw represents a critical security issue that stems from improper handling of the "-dSAFER" Ghostscript option during command execution. The core technical flaw occurs when pstotext processes malicious PostScript files, failing to adequately enforce the safer execution mode that would normally restrict access to system resources and prevent arbitrary command execution. When a remote attacker crafts a malicious PostScript file and feeds it to the vulnerable pstotext utility, the absence of proper "-dSAFER" enforcement creates an attack vector that allows full system compromise through command injection.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass complete system compromise and potential lateral movement within network environments. Attackers can leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary code on systems running vulnerable versions of pstotext, potentially gaining root access or administrative privileges depending on how the utility is deployed. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-78, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in OS commands, and CWE-20, which addresses improper input validation. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, as the attack chain involves executing malicious commands through the vulnerable text extraction utility.
The exploitation process typically involves creating a specially crafted PostScript file that contains embedded commands designed to execute when processed by the vulnerable pstotext utility. Since Ghostscript's "-dSAFER" option is intended to disable potentially dangerous operations such as file system access and external command execution, its improper usage in this context renders the security protections ineffective. Organizations running vulnerable versions of pstotext face significant risk when processing untrusted PostScript or PDF documents, particularly in environments where automated text extraction is performed on user-uploaded content or documents from external sources. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and secure command execution practices in utility applications that interface with system-level processes.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-2536 primarily focus on updating to Ghostscript version 1.8g or later where the proper "-dSAFER" option usage has been implemented. System administrators should also consider implementing additional protective measures such as restricting file type processing, deploying sandboxed environments for document analysis, and implementing proper input sanitization for any text extraction processes. Network-level controls including firewall rules that restrict access to vulnerable services and regular security audits to identify systems running outdated versions can help reduce exposure. The vulnerability highlights the necessity of maintaining current security patches and demonstrates how seemingly benign utility functions can present significant attack surfaces when security controls are improperly implemented or missing from core system components.