CVE-2008-0411 in Ghostscript
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in the zseticcspace function in zicc.c in Ghostscript 8.61 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a postscript (.ps) file containing a long Range array in a .seticcspace operator.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/01/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-0411 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow in Ghostscript's color management system, specifically within the zseticcspace function located in the zicc.c source file. This flaw affects Ghostscript versions 8.61 and earlier, creating a significant security risk that can be exploited remotely through malicious PostScript files. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation when processing the .seticcspace operator, which is used to set color space parameters in PostScript documents. When a maliciously crafted PostScript file contains an excessively long Range array within the .seticcspace operator, the zseticcspace function fails to properly bounds-check the input data before copying it onto the stack, resulting in a buffer overflow condition that can be leveraged for arbitrary code execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic stack buffer overflow exploit pattern where insufficient boundary checking allows an attacker to overwrite adjacent stack memory locations. The zseticcspace function processes color space definitions and expects specific array structures for the Range parameter, but when provided with an oversized Range array, the function's stack allocation and copying mechanisms fail to validate the input length against the allocated buffer size. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is classified as a fundamental flaw in memory management where data is written beyond the bounds of a stack-allocated buffer. The overflow can overwrite return addresses, saved registers, and other critical stack data, potentially allowing an attacker to redirect program execution flow to malicious code injected into the buffer.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with a remote code execution vector that can be exploited through email attachments, web downloads, or any mechanism that allows users to process PostScript files. Since Ghostscript is widely used as a PostScript interpreter in various applications including document processing systems, web browsers, and server applications, the potential attack surface is extensive. An attacker could craft a malicious PostScript document that, when processed by an affected Ghostscript implementation, would trigger the buffer overflow and execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the user running the interpreter. This vulnerability particularly affects systems that automatically process or render PostScript files without proper input sanitization, making it a significant concern for enterprise environments and web applications that handle untrusted document formats. The exploitability of this vulnerability is enhanced by the fact that PostScript files are commonly encountered in legitimate document workflows, making social engineering attacks more effective and increasing the likelihood of successful exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-0411 should focus on immediate version updates to Ghostscript 8.62 or later, which contain the necessary patches to address the buffer overflow condition in the zseticcspace function. Organizations should implement strict input validation policies for all PostScript content, particularly when processing documents from untrusted sources, and consider deploying sandboxing mechanisms to isolate PostScript processing environments. Network-level defenses such as content filtering systems that can identify and block malicious PostScript files should be implemented alongside application-level protections. From a defensive perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter - PostScript, highlighting the importance of protecting against script-based attacks in document processing environments. System administrators should also consider implementing principle of least privilege controls for applications that process PostScript files, limiting the potential impact of successful exploitation. Additionally, regular security assessments of document processing pipelines and monitoring for unusual PostScript file processing activities can help detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper input validation in color management systems and the need for comprehensive security testing of interpreter applications that handle complex data formats.