CVE-2024-29510 in Ghostscript
Summary
by MITRE • 07/03/2024
Artifex Ghostscript before 10.03.1 allows memory corruption, and SAFER sandbox bypass, via format string injection with a uniprint device.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/08/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-29510 affects Artifex Ghostscript versions prior to 10.03.1 and represents a critical security flaw that combines memory corruption with sandbox bypass capabilities. This vulnerability specifically manifests when processing print jobs through the uniprint device driver, creating a dangerous attack surface that can be exploited by malicious actors to compromise system integrity and execute arbitrary code within the context of the Ghostscript process.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in improper handling of format strings during the processing of print commands through the uniprint device interface. When Ghostscript encounters specially crafted input data, it fails to properly validate or sanitize the format string parameters, leading to memory corruption vulnerabilities that can be leveraged to overwrite critical memory locations. This memory corruption occurs through format string injection techniques that exploit the underlying printf family functions without proper input validation, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate program execution flow and potentially execute malicious code.
The security implications extend beyond simple memory corruption to include a SAFER sandbox bypass mechanism that fundamentally undermines the security model designed to isolate potentially dangerous operations within Ghostscript. The SAFER sandbox is intended to restrict file system access and prevent execution of potentially harmful operations, but this vulnerability allows attackers to circumvent these protective measures through the format string injection vector. This bypass capability means that even when Ghostscript is configured to run in a restricted environment, attackers can potentially escalate privileges and gain access to system resources that should remain protected.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations that rely on Ghostscript for document processing, particularly in environments where print servers or document conversion services are exposed to untrusted input. The uniprint device is commonly used in enterprise environments for handling print jobs from various applications, making this attack vector particularly dangerous for organizations that process documents from external sources or allow user-generated content processing. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code on print servers, potentially leading to full system compromise or lateral movement within network environments.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-134, which specifically addresses format string vulnerabilities where format string arguments are constructed from user-controlled data without proper validation or sanitization. Additionally, this flaw maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as the exploitation could involve executing malicious commands through compromised print processing pipelines. The combination of memory corruption and sandbox bypass capabilities also relates to ATT&CK technique T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, as successful exploitation could potentially elevate privileges beyond the initial attack surface.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation by upgrading to Ghostscript version 10.03.1 or later, which includes patches addressing both the memory corruption and sandbox bypass aspects of this vulnerability. System administrators should also implement network segmentation to limit access to print servers and document processing services, while monitoring for suspicious print job patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additional defensive measures include disabling unnecessary device drivers, implementing strict input validation for print job processing, and maintaining comprehensive logging of print operations for security monitoring purposes. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and secure coding practices in preventing format string injection attacks that can lead to privilege escalation and system compromise.