Description
The PS Interpreter in Ghostscript 9.18 and 9.20 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via crafted userparams.
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 | 9.19~dfsg-3.1 | — |
| Debian 13 | ghostscript | 9.19~dfsg-3.1 | — |
| Debian 12 | ghostscript | 9.19~dfsg-3.1 | — |
| Debian 8 | ghostscript | 9.06~dfsg-2+deb8u3 | DSA-3691-1 |
| Debian 7 | ghostscript | 9.05~dfsg-6.3+deb7u3 | DLA-674-1 |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 16.04 LTS | ghostscript | 9.18~dfsg~0-0ubuntu2.2 | USN-3148-1 |
| Ubuntu 14.04 LTS | ghostscript | 9.10~dfsg-0ubuntu10.5 | USN-3148-1 |
openSUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| openSUSE Tumbleweed | ghostscript | 9.20-2.1 | openSUSE-SU-2024:10003-1 |
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.
Metasploit 1 module
-
ImageMagick Delegate Arbitrary Command Execution
exploit/unix/fileformat/imagemagick_delegate
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 4
- USN-3148-1 ghostscript vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Apr 22, 2026
- DLA-674-1 ghostscript - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- DSA-3691-1 ghostscript - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2024:10003-1 ghostscript-9.20-2.1 on GA media SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
References
- DSA-3691 vendor-advisory
- https://bugs.ghostscript.com/show_bug.cgi?id=697178
- [oss-security] 20161019 Re: Re: CVE Request - multiple ghostscript -dSAFER sandbox problems mailing-list
- http://git.ghostscript.com/?p=user/chrisl/ghostpdl.git%3Ba=commit%3Bh=6d444c273da5499a4cd72f21cb6d4c9a5256807d
- GLSA-201702-31 vendor-advisory
- 95332 vdb-entry