Description
Heap-based buffer overflow in the big2_decode_symbol_dict function (jbig2_symbol_dict.c) in the JBIG2 decoding library (jbig2dec) in Ghostscript 8.64, and probably earlier versions, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a PDF file with a JBIG2 symbol dictionary segment with a large run length value.
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 | 8.64~dfsg-1.1 | — |
| Debian 13 | ghostscript | 8.64~dfsg-1.1 | — |
| Debian 12 | ghostscript | 8.64~dfsg-1.1 | — |
| Debian 6.0 | ghostscript | 8.64~dfsg-1+squeeze1 | DTSA-198-1 |
| Debian 5.0 | ghostscript | 8.62.dfsg.1-3.2lenny4 | DSA-2080-1 |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 5 | ghostscript +2 | 8.15.2-9.4.el5_3.7 | RHSA-2009:0421 |
Advisories 3
- RHSA-2009:0421 Red Hat Security Advisory: ghostscript security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
- DSA-2080-1 ghostscript - several vulnerabilities Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- DTSA-198-1 ghostscript - integer overflows Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- RHSA-2009:0421 vendor-advisory
- 20090409 Secunia Research: Ghostscript jbig2dec JBIG2 Processing Buffer Overflow mailing-list
- FEDORA-2009-3709 vendor-advisory
- GLSA-201412-17 vendor-advisory
- ADV-2009-0983 vdb-entry
- 34445 vdb-entry
- 262288 vendor-advisory
- 34292 third-party-advisory
- 20090417 rPSA-2009-0060-1 ghostscript mailing-list
- 34729 third-party-advisory
- SUSE-SR:2009:011 vendor-advisory
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:10533 vdb-entry signature
- MDVSA-2009:095 vendor-advisory
- FEDORA-2009-3710 vendor-advisory
- 34732 third-party-advisory
- 35569 third-party-advisory
- ADV-2009-1708 vdb-entry
- 1022029 vdb-entry
- 35559 third-party-advisory
- 35416 third-party-advisory
- http://wiki.rpath.com/Advisories:rPSA-2009-0060
- USN-757-1 vendor-advisory
- 53492 vdb-entry
- SUSE-SR:2009:009 vendor-advisory
- http://secunia.com/secunia_research/2009-21/
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/attachment.cgi?id=337747
- 34667 third-party-advisory