CVE-2024-33869 in Ghostscript
Summary
by MITRE • 07/03/2024
An issue was discovered in Artifex Ghostscript before 10.03.1. Path traversal and command execution can occur (via a crafted PostScript document) because of path reduction in base/gpmisc.c. For example, restrictions on use of %pipe% can be bypassed via the aa/../%pipe%command# output filename.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/08/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-33869 represents a critical path traversal and command execution flaw within Artifex Ghostscript versions prior to 10.03.1. This vulnerability resides in the base/gpmisc.c component of the software and demonstrates a significant weakness in how the system handles file path resolution and command execution within PostScript documents. The flaw allows malicious actors to bypass security restrictions that are typically in place to prevent arbitrary command execution, creating a dangerous attack surface that can be exploited through crafted PostScript files.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate path reduction mechanisms within the Ghostscript processing pipeline. When processing PostScript documents, the software fails to properly sanitize or validate file paths that contain directory traversal sequences such as "../". This weakness specifically affects the handling of %pipe% functionality which is designed to prevent command execution by restricting access to system pipes. The bypass mechanism demonstrates how attackers can manipulate file paths by incorporating directory traversal elements before the %pipe% directive, effectively circumventing the intended security controls. The example provided shows how aa/../%pipe%command# can be used to execute arbitrary commands through the output filename specification, exploiting the flawed path resolution logic.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it can enable remote code execution on systems that process PostScript documents through Ghostscript. Attackers can leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the Ghostscript process, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects any system running vulnerable versions of Ghostscript that processes untrusted PostScript content, including web applications, document processing systems, and print servers. This makes it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where document processing is common and where the attack surface may include web-facing services or document management systems. The vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including email attachments, web uploads, or document sharing platforms that utilize Ghostscript for rendering or processing.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of all affected Ghostscript installations to version 10.03.1 or later, as this release contains the necessary fixes for the path traversal and command execution bypass. Organizations should also implement strict input validation and sanitization for all PostScript content, particularly when processing untrusted documents. Network segmentation and access controls should be reinforced to limit exposure of systems that process PostScript files, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect suspicious file processing patterns. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 Path Traversal and CWE-78 Command Injection, both of which are fundamental security weaknesses that have been consistently identified in software development practices. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1021.002 Remote Services, as it enables command execution and can be used to establish persistent access to compromised systems. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be implemented to identify any remaining instances of vulnerable software within the organization's infrastructure.