CVE-2023-4042 in Ghostscript
Summary
by MITRE • 08/23/2023
A flaw was found in ghostscript. The fix for CVE-2020-16305 in ghostscript was not included in RHSA-2021:1852-06 advisory as it was claimed to be. This issue only affects the ghostscript package as shipped with Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/02/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-4042 represents a critical security oversight in the Ghostscript software package, specifically affecting Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 deployments. This flaw stems from an incomplete security patch implementation where the remediation for CVE-2020-16305 was erroneously omitted from the RHSA-2021:1852-06 advisory despite claims to the contrary. The issue demonstrates the complex nature of software security maintenance and the potential for cascading vulnerabilities when security patches are not properly applied or documented across different software versions and distribution channels.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the insufficient addressing of memory corruption issues within Ghostscript's handling of PostScript and PDF files. CVE-2020-16305 specifically addressed heap-based buffer overflows that could potentially allow arbitrary code execution when processing malformed input files. The failure to properly incorporate this fix in the Red Hat advisory means that systems running Ghostscript on RHEL 8 remain exposed to the same memory corruption risks that were supposedly resolved in previous updates. This oversight creates a persistent attack surface where malicious actors could exploit the buffer overflow conditions to execute unauthorized code or cause denial of service conditions within applications that depend on Ghostscript for document processing.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-4042 extends beyond simple security concerns to affect enterprise environments that rely heavily on document processing capabilities. Organizations using RHEL 8 systems for print services, document conversion, or PDF handling are particularly vulnerable since Ghostscript serves as a foundational component for these operations. The vulnerability could be exploited through various attack vectors including email attachments, web uploads, or document processing workflows where users might inadvertently trigger the buffer overflow conditions. This risk is exacerbated by the fact that many enterprise applications depend on Ghostscript for rendering and processing graphical content, making the potential attack surface quite broad.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in relation to established frameworks such as CWE-121, which categorizes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and script interpreter execution. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK's T1203, representing exploitation of software vulnerabilities, and demonstrates how patch management failures can create persistent security weaknesses. Organizations should implement immediate remediation measures including verification of the complete security patch set for their Ghostscript installations, regular audit of security advisories for proper patch inclusion, and monitoring for any signs of exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of maintaining detailed patch tracking systems and cross-referencing security advisories to prevent similar oversights in future security updates.
The remediation approach for CVE-2023-4042 requires organizations to ensure their Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 systems receive the complete security patch set that properly addresses CVE-2020-16305. This includes verifying that the specific Ghostscript package versions contain the correct memory handling fixes and that the security advisory properly documents all included patches. System administrators should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify systems that may be running affected versions and implement proper patch management protocols to prevent similar issues in the future. The incident serves as a reminder of the critical importance of thorough security patch verification processes and the potential consequences of incomplete security remediation efforts.