GNU gv 3.5.8/3.6.0/3.6.1/3.6.2 ps.c ps_gettext memory corruption

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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6.6$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability described as critical has been identified in GNU gv 3.5.8/3.6.0/3.6.1/3.6.2. This vulnerability affects the function ps_gettext of the file ps.c. The manipulation results in memory corruption. This vulnerability is cataloged as CVE-2006-5864. Furthermore, there is an exploit available. Upgrading the affected component is recommended.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in GNU gv 3.5.8/3.6.0/3.6.1/3.6.2. It has been classified as critical. Affected is the function ps_gettext of the file ps.c. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a memory corruption vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-119. The product performs operations on a memory buffer, but it can read from or write to a memory location that is outside of the intended boundary of the buffer. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

Stack-based buffer overflow in the ps_gettext function in ps.c for GNU gv 3.6.2, and possibly earlier versions, allows user-assisted attackers to execute arbitrary code via a PostScript (PS) file with certain headers that contain long comments, as demonstrated using the (1) DocumentMedia, (2) DocumentPaperSizes, and possibly (3) PageMedia and (4) PaperSize headers. NOTE: this issue can be exploited through other products that use gv such as evince.

The bug was discovered 11/09/2006. The weakness was shared 11/10/2006 as confirmed advisory (CERT.org). The advisory is available at kb.cert.org. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2006-5864 since 11/10/2006. The exploitability is told to be difficult. It is possible to launch the attack remotely. The exploitation doesn't require any form of authentication. Technical details and a public exploit are known.

The exploit is shared for download at securityfocus.com. It is declared as proof-of-concept. The vulnerability was handled as a non-public zero-day exploit for at least 1 days. During that time the estimated underground price was around $0-$5k. The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 23700 (Debian DSA-1214-2 : gv - buffer overflow), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment. It is assigned to the family Debian Local Security Checks and running in the context l.

Upgrading eliminates this vulnerability.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at X-Force (30153), Exploit-DB (2858), Tenable (23700), SecurityFocus (BID 20978†) and OSVDB (30274†). If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.

Productinfo

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CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
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CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 7.3
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 6.6

VulDB Base Score: 7.3
VulDB Temp Score: 6.6
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

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Exploitinginfo

Class: Memory corruption
CWE: CWE-119
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔍
Access: Public
Status: Proof-of-Concept
Download: 🔍

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Nessus ID: 23700
Nessus Name: Debian DSA-1214-2 : gv - buffer overflow
Nessus File: 🔍
Nessus Risk: 🔍
Nessus Family: 🔍
Nessus Context: 🔍
Nessus Port: 🔍

OpenVAS ID: 57587
OpenVAS Name: Debian Security Advisory DSA 1214-1 (gv)
OpenVAS File: 🔍
OpenVAS Family: 🔍

Exploit-DB: 🔍

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
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Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍
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Timelineinfo

11/09/2006 🔍
11/09/2006 +0 days 🔍
11/10/2006 +1 days 🔍
11/10/2006 +0 days 🔍
11/10/2006 +0 days 🔍
11/10/2006 +0 days 🔍
11/10/2006 +0 days 🔍
11/22/2006 +12 days 🔍
11/28/2006 +6 days 🔍
03/12/2015 +3026 days 🔍
04/27/2026 +4064 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: gnu.org

Advisory: kb.cert.org
Status: Confirmed
Confirmation: 🔍

CVE: CVE-2006-5864 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2006-5864
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-33234
CERT: 🔍
X-Force: 30153
SecurityFocus: 20978 - GNU GV Stack Buffer Overflow Vulnerability
Secunia: 22787 - GNU gv "ps_gettext()" Buffer Overflow Vulnerability, Moderately Critical
OSVDB: 30274 - CVE-2006-5864 - GNU - GV - Buffer Overflow Issue
Vulnerability Center: 13146 - ps.c for GNU gv 3.6.2 Remote Code Execution Via PostScript File, Medium
Vupen: ADV-2006-4424

scip Labs: https://www.scip.ch/en/?labs.20161013

Entryinfo

Created: 03/12/2015 22:21
Updated: 04/27/2026 10:35
Changes: 03/12/2015 22:21 (84), 07/11/2019 08:05 (6), 08/09/2024 19:37 (17), 01/17/2025 03:14 (1), 04/27/2026 10:35 (2)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.

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