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TI-2008-03702 Aliases CVE-2008-3863GHSA-wp92-87r8-55v9

Stack-based buffer overflow in the read_special_escape function in src/psgen.c in GNU…

Priority MEDIUM 44CWE-119Published · Updated

Key facts

Attack vector
Network
Privileges required
None
User interaction
— Not recorded in CVSS 2.0
Attack complexity
High
Impact type
Code execution
Confidentiality · integrity · availability
Complete · Complete · Complete
Fix status
Fixed

Attack profile from CVSS 2.0 · NVD. Fix status from CNA and Red Hat. Impact type from CWE-119 and the CVSS impact.

Summary

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.

Why it matters now

EPSS 0.08358 94th percentileScored 2026-11-07
Fix Fixed Red Hat: 2 advisories

SSVC decision points

Not available: CISA has not published SSVC decision points for this record.

Affected products

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed inStatusSource
——all versions—No fix listedCNA
  • — Vendor— Affected all versions Fixed in — No fix listed CNA

CPE configurations NVD · 2

CPEVersionsRoleVendor
cpe:2.3:a:gnu:enscript:1.6.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*1.6.1VulnerableGNU
cpe:2.3:a:gnu:enscript:1.6.4:beta:*:*:*:*:*:*1.6.4 betaVulnerableGNU
  • cpe:2.3:a:gnu:enscript:1.6.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 1.6.1 Vulnerable ·GNU
  • cpe:2.3:a:gnu:enscript:1.6.4:beta:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 1.6.4 beta Vulnerable ·GNU

Remediation

Red Hat 2 advisories

  • RHSA-2008:1021 Released 2008-12-15 · Red Hat rating Moderate
    enscript security update
    • Red Hat Desktop version 3 enscript-1.6.1-24.7, enscript-1.6.1-24.7.i386
    • Red Hat Enterprise Linux AS (Advanced Server) version 2.1 enscript-1.6.1-16.7, enscript-1.6.1-16.7.i386, enscript-1.6.1-16.7.ia64
    • Red Hat Enterprise Linux AS version 3 enscript-1.6.1-24.7, enscript-1.6.1-24.7.i386, enscript-1.6.1-24.7.ia64 +1
    • Red Hat Enterprise Linux AS version 4 enscript-1.6.1-33.el4_7.1, enscript-1.6.1-33.el4_7.1.i386, enscript-1.6.1-33.el4_7.1.ia64 +1
    • Red Hat Enterprise Linux Desktop version 4 enscript-1.6.1-33.el4_7.1, enscript-1.6.1-33.el4_7.1.i386
    • Red Hat Enterprise Linux ES version 2.1 enscript-1.6.1-16.7, enscript-1.6.1-16.7.i386
    • Red Hat Enterprise Linux ES version 3 enscript-1.6.1-24.7, enscript-1.6.1-24.7.i386, enscript-1.6.1-24.7.ia64
    • Red Hat Enterprise Linux ES version 4 enscript-1.6.1-33.el4_7.1, enscript-1.6.1-33.el4_7.1.i386, enscript-1.6.1-33.el4_7.1.ia64
    • Red Hat Enterprise Linux WS version 2.1 enscript-1.6.1-16.7, enscript-1.6.1-16.7.i386
    • Red Hat Enterprise Linux WS version 3 enscript-1.6.1-24.7, enscript-1.6.1-24.7.i386, enscript-1.6.1-24.7.ia64
    • Red Hat Enterprise Linux WS version 4 enscript-1.6.1-33.el4_7.1, enscript-1.6.1-33.el4_7.1.i386, enscript-1.6.1-33.el4_7.1.ia64
    • Red Hat Linux Advanced Workstation 2.1 enscript-1.6.1-16.7, enscript-1.6.1-16.7.ia64
  • RHSA-2008:1016 Released 2008-12-15 · Red Hat rating Moderate
    enscript security update
    • Red Hat Enterprise Linux (v. 5 server) enscript-1.6.4-4.1.1.el5_2, enscript-1.6.4-4.1.1.el5_2.i386, enscript-1.6.4-4.1.1.el5_2.ia64 +1
    • Red Hat Enterprise Linux Desktop (v. 5 client) enscript-1.6.4-4.1.1.el5_2, enscript-1.6.4-4.1.1.el5_2.i386

Vendor assessments

Red Hat

Red Hat rating: Moderate. Red Hat's page for this CVE →

ProductStatusPlan or fix
Red Hat Desktop version 3Fixed RHSA-2008:1021
Red Hat Enterprise Linux (v. 5 server)Fixed RHSA-2008:1016
Red Hat Enterprise Linux AS (Advanced Server) version 2.1 Fixed RHSA-2008:1021
Red Hat Enterprise Linux AS version 3Fixed RHSA-2008:1021
Red Hat Enterprise Linux AS version 4Fixed RHSA-2008:1021
Red Hat Enterprise Linux Desktop (v. 5 client)Fixed RHSA-2008:1016
Red Hat Enterprise Linux Desktop version 4Fixed RHSA-2008:1021
Red Hat Enterprise Linux ES version 2.1Fixed RHSA-2008:1021
Red Hat Enterprise Linux ES version 3Fixed RHSA-2008:1021
Red Hat Enterprise Linux ES version 4Fixed RHSA-2008:1021
Red Hat Enterprise Linux WS version 2.1Fixed RHSA-2008:1021
Red Hat Enterprise Linux WS version 3Fixed RHSA-2008:1021
Red Hat Enterprise Linux WS version 4Fixed RHSA-2008:1021
Red Hat Linux Advanced Workstation 2.1Fixed RHSA-2008:1021

Timeline

  1. 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2008-3863
  2. 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-wp92-87r8-55v9

References

Advisory 12

Other 7

  • TI-2004-01078 Enscript 1.6.3 does not sanitize filenames, which allows remote attackers or local users… CVSS 2.0HIGH 7.5
  • TI-2004-01079 Multiple buffer overflows in enscript 1.6.3 allow remote attackers or local users to… CVSS 2.0MEDIUM 5.0
  • TI-2004-01077 The EPSF pipe support in enscript 1.6.3 allows remote attackers or local users to execute… CVSS 2.0MEDIUM 4.6
  • TI-2002-00040 GNU Enscript 1.6.1 and earlier allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files of the… CVSS 2.0LOW 3.6

Sources

This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences