Description
Stack-based buffer overflow in the read_special_escape function in src/psgen.c in GNU Enscript 1.6.1 and 1.6.4 beta, when the -e (aka special escapes processing) option is enabled, allows user-assisted remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted ASCII file, related to the setfilename command.
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 | enscript | 1.6.4-13 | — |
| Debian 13 | enscript | 1.6.4-13 | — |
| Debian 12 | enscript | 1.6.4-13 | — |
| Debian 4.0 | enscript | 1.6.4-11.1 | DSA-1670-1 |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 5 | enscript | 1.6.4-4.1.1.el5_2 | RHSA-2008:1016 |
| RHEL 4 | enscript | 1.6.1-33.el4_7.1 | RHSA-2008:1021 |
| RHEL 3 | enscript | 1.6.1-24.7 | RHSA-2008:1021 |
| RHEL 2 | enscript | 1.6.1-16.7 | RHSA-2008:1021 |
openSUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| openSUSE Tumbleweed | enscript | 1.6.6-1.15 | openSUSE-SU-2024:10737-1 |
Advisories 4
- RHSA-2008:1021 Red Hat Security Advisory: enscript security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
- RHSA-2008:1016 Red Hat Security Advisory: enscript security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
- DSA-1670-1 enscript - arbitrary code execution Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2024:10737-1 enscript-1.6.6-1.15 on GA media SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
References
- ADV-2008-2891 vdb-entry
- 32137 third-party-advisory
- gnuenscript-readspecialescape-bo(46026) vdb-entry
- 31858 vdb-entry
- 32521 third-party-advisory
- http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3549
- SUSE-SR:2008:024 vendor-advisory
- FEDORA-2008-9372 vendor-advisory
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:9939 vdb-entry signature
- FEDORA-2008-9351 vendor-advisory
- RHSA-2008:1016 vendor-advisory
- http://support.avaya.com/elmodocs2/security/ASA-2008-504.htm
- USN-660-1 vendor-advisory
- 35074 third-party-advisory
- http://wiki.rpath.com/wiki/Advisories:rPSA-2008-0321
- 4488 third-party-advisory
- APPLE-SA-2009-05-12 vendor-advisory
- GLSA-200812-02 vendor-advisory
- 20081022 Secunia Research: GNU Enscript "setfilename" Special Escape Buffer Overflow mailing-list
- 20081117 rPSA-2008-0321-1 enscript mailing-list
- https://issues.rpath.com/browse/RPL-2887
- 32854 third-party-advisory
- MDVSA-2008:243 vendor-advisory
- 32970 third-party-advisory
- 32530 third-party-advisory
- DSA-1670 vendor-advisory
- TA09-133A third-party-advisory
- ADV-2009-1297 vdb-entry
- http://secunia.com/secunia_research/2008-41/
- 32753 third-party-advisory
- 33109 third-party-advisory
- RHSA-2008:1021 vendor-advisory