Description
Stack-based buffer overflow in the zseticcspace function in zicc.c in Ghostscript 8.61 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a postscript (.ps) file containing a long Range array in a .seticcspace operator.
Fixed in Linux distributions
Distributions backport fixes, so the version that fixes this vulnerability differs per release — upgrade to at least the version shown. From the distributions' security trackers and advisories.
Debian
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian 14 | ghostscript | 8.61.dfsg.1-1.1 | — |
| Debian 13 | ghostscript | 8.61.dfsg.1-1.1 | — |
| Debian 12 | ghostscript | 8.61.dfsg.1-1.1 | — |
| Debian 4.0 | gs-esp | 8.15.3.dfsg.1-1etch1 | DSA-1510-1 |
| Debian 4.0 | gs-gpl | 8.54.dfsg.1-5etch1 | DSA-1510-1 |
| Debian 3.1 | gs-esp | 7.07.1-9sarge1 | DSA-1510-1 |
| Debian 3.1 | gs-gpl | 8.01-6 | DSA-1510-1 |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 5 | ghostscript +2 | 8.15.2-9.1.el5_1.1 | RHSA-2008:0155 |
| RHEL 4 | ghostscript +2 | 7.07-33.2.el4_6.1 | RHSA-2008:0155 |
| RHEL 3 | ghostscript +1 | 7.05-32.1.13 | RHSA-2008:0155 |
| RHEL 3 | hpijs | 1.3-32.1.13 | RHSA-2008:0155 |
Public exploits
Exploit or proof-of-concept code for this vulnerability is publicly available, which lowers the bar for attackers. Treat it as a reason to patch sooner.
Third-party code, not reviewed by us. Public PoCs are sometimes fake or contain malware. Read the code first and run it only in an isolated lab, against systems you are authorised to test.
Exploit-DB 1
- Ghostscript 8.0.1/8.15 - 'zseticcspace()' Remote Buffer Overflow EDB-31309 · remote · Feb 27, 2008 · verified
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 2
- RHSA-2008:0155 Red Hat Security Advisory: ghostscript security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
- DSA-1510-1 gs-esp gs-gpl - arbitrary code execution Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- 29103 third-party-advisory
- USN-599-1 vendor-advisory
- GLSA-200803-14 vendor-advisory
- 29154 third-party-advisory
- 29196 third-party-advisory
- 20080228 Ghostscript buffer overflow mailing-list
- ADV-2008-0693 vdb-entry
- 29314 third-party-advisory
- 20080228 rPSA-2008-0082-1 espgs mailing-list
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:9557 vdb-entry signature
- 29101 third-party-advisory
- http://wiki.rpath.com/Advisories:rPSA-2008-0082
- 29112 third-party-advisory
- SUSE-SA:2008:010 vendor-advisory
- 29147 third-party-advisory
- MDVSA-2008:055 vendor-advisory
- https://issues.rpath.com/browse/RPL-2217
- 29768 third-party-advisory
- 1019511 vdb-entry
- DSA-1510 vendor-advisory
- RHSA-2008:0155 vendor-advisory
- 28017 vdb-entry
- http://scary.beasts.org/security/CESA-2008-001.html
- FEDORA-2008-1998 vendor-advisory
- 29135 third-party-advisory
- 29169 third-party-advisory
- SSA:2008-062-01 vendor-advisory