#VU14733 Improper access control in Ghostscript - CVE-2018-16539

Vulnerability identifier: #VU14733

Vulnerability risk: Low

CVSSv4.0: 2.7 [CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:L/VI:N/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:U/U:Clear]

CVE-ID: CVE-2018-16539

CWE-ID: CWE-284

Exploitation vector: Network

Exploit availability: No

Vulnerable software:
Ghostscript
Universal components / Libraries / Libraries used by multiple products

Vendor: Artifex Software, Inc.

Description

The vulnerability allows a remote attacker to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information.

The vulnerability exists due to an improper access restrictions when processing PostScript files within the temp directory. A remote attacker can create a specially crafted PostScript file and use it to read arbitrary files on the vulnerable system.

Mitigation
Update to version 9.24.

Vulnerable software versions

Ghostscript: 9.00 - 9.23

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External links
https://git.ghostscript.com/?p=ghostpdl.git;a=commit;h=a054156d425b4dbdaaa9fda4b5f1182b27598c2b
https://bugs.ghostscript.com/show_bug.cgi?id=699658
https://www.artifex.com/news/ghostscript-security-resolved/
https://www.debian.org/security/2018/dsa-4288 

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Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

Yes. This vulnerability can be exploited by a remote non-authenticated attacker via the Internet.

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

No. We are not aware of malware exploiting this vulnerability.