Artifex Ghostscript 9.50 contrib/lips4/gdevlips.c GetNumSameData PDF File out-of-bounds write
| CVSS Meta Temp Score | Current Exploit Price (≈) | CTI Interest Score |
|---|---|---|
| 6.3 | $0-$5k | 0.00 |
Summary
A vulnerability classified as critical was found in Artifex Ghostscript 9.50. The impacted element is the function GetNumSameData of the file contrib/lips4/gdevlips.c. Such manipulation as part of PDF File leads to out-of-bounds write.
This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2020-17538. The attack can be launched remotely. No exploit exists.
Upgrading the affected component is advised.
Details
A vulnerability was found in Artifex Ghostscript 9.50 (Document Processing Software) and classified as critical. Affected by this issue is the function GetNumSameData of the file contrib/lips4/gdevlips.c. The manipulation as part of a PDF File leads to a out-of-bounds write vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-787. The product writes data past the end, or before the beginning, of the intended buffer. Impacted is confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:
A buffer overflow vulnerability in GetNumSameData() in contrib/lips4/gdevlips.c of Artifex Software GhostScript v9.50 allows a remote attacker to cause a denial of service via a crafted PDF file. This is fixed in v9.51.
The weakness was disclosed 08/13/2020. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2020-17538 since 08/12/2020. The attack may be launched remotely. No form of authentication is required for exploitation. Technical details are known, but there is no available exploit.
Upgrading to version 9.51 eliminates this vulnerability.
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Product
Type
Vendor
Name
Version
License
Website
- Vendor: https://artifex.com/
CPE 2.3
CPE 2.2
CVSSv4
VulDB Vector: 🔍VulDB Reliability: 🔍
CVSSv3
VulDB Meta Base Score: 6.4VulDB Meta Temp Score: 6.3
VulDB Base Score: 7.3
VulDB Temp Score: 7.0
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍
NVD Base Score: 5.5
NVD Vector: 🔍
CVSSv2
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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
VulDB Temp Score: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍
NVD Base Score: 🔍
Exploiting
Class: Out-of-bounds writeCWE: CWE-787 / CWE-119
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍
Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: Yes
Availability: 🔍
Status: Not defined
EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍
Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍
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Threat Intelligence
Interest: 🔍Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍
Countermeasures
Recommended: UpgradeStatus: 🔍
0-Day Time: 🔍
Upgrade: Ghostscript 9.51
Timeline
08/12/2020 🔍08/13/2020 🔍
08/13/2020 🔍
04/29/2026 🔍
Sources
Vendor: artifex.comStatus: Confirmed
CVE: CVE-2020-17538 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2020-17538
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-159782
Entry
Created: 08/13/2020 14:15Updated: 04/29/2026 18:43
Changes: 08/13/2020 14:15 (37), 08/13/2020 14:20 (18), 03/18/2025 21:34 (16), 04/29/2026 18:40 (2), 04/29/2026 18:43 (6)
Complete: 🔍
Committer: lywand
Cache ID: 216::103
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