An issue was discovered in t1_check_unusual_charstring functions in writet1.c files in…
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Local
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- Required
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- Code execution
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- High · High · High
- Fix status
- Partial Red Hat: 7 fixed, 1 without a fix
Attack profile from CVSS 3.0 · NVD. Fix status from CNA and Red Hat. Impact type from CWE-119 and the CVSS impact.
Summary
An issue was discovered in t1_check_unusual_charstring functions in writet1.c files in TeX Live before 2018-09-21. A buffer overflow in the handling of Type 1 fonts allows arbitrary code execution when a malicious font is loaded by one of the vulnerable tools: pdflatex, pdftex, dvips, or luatex.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
Not available: CISA has not published SSVC decision points for this record.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | — | all versions | — | No fix listed | CNA |
- — Vendor— Affected all versions Fixed in — No fix listed CNA
CPE configurations NVD · 7
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:2.3:a:tug:tex_live:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | before 2018-09-21 | Vulnerable | Tug |
| cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:14.04:*:*:*:lts:*:*:* | 14.04 | Vulnerable | Canonical |
| cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:16.04:*:*:*:lts:*:*:* | 16.04 | Vulnerable | Canonical |
| cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:18.04:*:*:*:lts:*:*:* | 18.04 | Vulnerable | Canonical |
| cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:18.10:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 18.10 | Vulnerable | Canonical |
| cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:8.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 8.0 | Vulnerable | Debian |
| cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:9.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 9.0 | Vulnerable | Debian |
- cpe:2.3:a:tug:tex_live:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions before 2018-09-21 Vulnerable ·Tug
- cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:14.04:*:*:*:lts:*:*:* Versions 14.04 Vulnerable ·Canonical
- cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:16.04:*:*:*:lts:*:*:* Versions 16.04 Vulnerable ·Canonical
- cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:18.04:*:*:*:lts:*:*:* Versions 18.04 Vulnerable ·Canonical
- cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:18.10:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 18.10 Vulnerable ·Canonical
- cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:8.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 8.0 Vulnerable ·Debian
- cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:9.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 9.0 Vulnerable ·Debian
Remediation
Red Hat 1 advisory
- RHSA-2020:1036 Released 2020-03-31 · Red Hat rating Moderatetexlive security update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Client (v. 7) texlive-2:2012-45.20130427_r30134.el7, texlive-ae-2:svn15878.1.4-45.el7, texlive-algorithms-2:svn15878.0.1-45.el7 +47
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Client Optional (v. 7) texlive-adjustbox-2:svn26555.0-45.el7, texlive-adjustbox-doc-2:svn26555.0-45.el7, texlive-ae-doc-2:svn15878.1.4-45.el7 +47
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux ComputeNode Optional (v. 7) texlive-2:2012-45.20130427_r30134.el7, texlive-adjustbox-2:svn26555.0-45.el7, texlive-adjustbox-doc-2:svn26555.0-45.el7 +47
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server (v. 7) texlive-2:2012-45.20130427_r30134.el7, texlive-ae-2:svn15878.1.4-45.el7, texlive-algorithms-2:svn15878.0.1-45.el7 +47
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional (v. 7) texlive-adjustbox-2:svn26555.0-45.el7, texlive-adjustbox-doc-2:svn26555.0-45.el7, texlive-ae-doc-2:svn15878.1.4-45.el7 +47
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation (v. 7) texlive-2:2012-45.20130427_r30134.el7, texlive-ae-2:svn15878.1.4-45.el7, texlive-algorithms-2:svn15878.0.1-45.el7 +47
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation Optional (v. 7) texlive-adjustbox-2:svn26555.0-45.el7, texlive-adjustbox-doc-2:svn26555.0-45.el7, texlive-ae-doc-2:svn15878.1.4-45.el7 +47
Vendor assessments
Red Hat
Red Hat rating: Moderate. Red Hat's page for this CVE →
| Product | Status | Plan or fix |
|---|---|---|
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 | Affected | No fix planned: Will not fix |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Client (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2020:1036 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Client Optional (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2020:1036 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux ComputeNode Optional (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2020:1036 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2020:1036 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2020:1036 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2020:1036 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation Optional (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2020:1036 |
Not affected: 1 product
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2018-17407
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-g32p-2jpf-2cg9
References
Sources
- CVE-2018-17407 · CVE Program
- CVE-2018-17407 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-g32p-2jpf-2cg9 · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
- CVE-2018-17407 · Red Hat security data · CC BY 4.0
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences