Artifex MuPDF up to 1.17.0-rc1 newband_writer use after free

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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5.3$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in Artifex MuPDF up to 1.17.0-rc1. It has been rated as critical. The affected element is the function newband_writer. Performing a manipulation results in use after free. This vulnerability was named CVE-2020-16600. There is no available exploit. To fix this issue, it is recommended to deploy a patch.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, was found in Artifex MuPDF up to 1.17.0-rc1 (Document Reader Software). This affects the function newband_writer. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a use after free vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-416. Referencing memory after it has been freed can cause a program to crash, use unexpected values, or execute code. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

The weakness was presented 12/10/2020. It is possible to read the advisory at bugs.ghostscript.com. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2020-16600. Technical details of the vulnerability are known, but there is no available exploit.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 253592 (Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2020-16600), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Applying a patch is able to eliminate this problem. The bugfix is ready for download at git.ghostscript.com.

The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at Tenable (253592). Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

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Vendor

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Version

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Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 5.5
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 5.3

VulDB Base Score: 5.5
VulDB Temp Score: 5.3
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
VulDB Temp Score: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Use after free
CWE: CWE-416 / CWE-119
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Partially

Availability: 🔍
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Nessus ID: 253592
Nessus Name: Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2020-16600

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Patch
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍

Patch: git.ghostscript.com

Timelineinfo

08/03/2020 🔍
12/10/2020 +129 days 🔍
12/10/2020 +0 days 🔍
08/23/2025 +1717 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: artifex.com

Advisory: bugs.ghostscript.com
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2020-16600 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2020-16600
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-165963

Entryinfo

Created: 12/10/2020 07:40
Updated: 08/23/2025 19:43
Changes: 12/10/2020 07:40 (39), 12/15/2020 14:01 (2), 08/23/2025 19:43 (22)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.

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