A buffer overflow vulnerability in image_render_color_thresh() in base/gxicolor.c of…
Priority LOW 29CWE-787Published · Updated
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Local
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- Required
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- Denial of service
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- None · None · High
- Fix status
- Partial Red Hat: 2 fixed, 3 without a fix
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · NVD. Fix status from CNA and Red Hat. Impact type from CWE-787 and the CVSS impact.
Summary
A buffer overflow vulnerability in image_render_color_thresh() in base/gxicolor.c of Artifex Software GhostScript v9.18 to v9.50 allows a remote attacker to escalate privileges via a crafted eps file. This is fixed in v9.51.
Why it matters now
EPSS 0.01931 80th percentileScored 2026-11-07
Public exploit Yes 1 exploit referenceTagged by NVD
Fix Partial Red Hat: 1 advisoryRed Hat: 2 fixed, 3 without a fix
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 · 6
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:2.3:a:artifex:ghostscript:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 9.18 – 9.52 | Vulnerable | Artifex |
| cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:9.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 9.0 | Vulnerable | Debian |
| cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:10.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 10.0 | Vulnerable | Debian |
| cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:16.04:*:*:*:esm:*:*:* | 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:20.04:*:*:*:lts:*:*:* | 20.04 | Vulnerable | Canonical |
- cpe:2.3:a:artifex:ghostscript:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 9.18 – 9.52 Vulnerable ·Artifex
- cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:9.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 9.0 Vulnerable ·Debian
- cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:10.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 10.0 Vulnerable ·Debian
- cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:16.04:*:*:*:esm:*:*:* 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:20.04:*:*:*:lts:*:*:* Versions 20.04 Vulnerable ·Canonical
Remediation
Red Hat 1 advisory
- RHSA-2021:1852 Released 2021-05-18 · Red Hat rating Moderateghostscript security, bug fix, and enhancement update
- Red Hat CodeReady Linux Builder (v. 8) ghostscript-doc-9.27-1.el8, ghostscript-tools-dvipdf-9.27-1.el8, ghostscript-tools-fonts-9.27-1.el8 +2
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 8) ghostscript-9.27-1.el8, ghostscript-x11-9.27-1.el8, libgs-9.27-1.el8
Vendor assessments
Red Hat
Red Hat rating: Moderate. Red Hat's page for this CVE →
| Product | Status | Plan or fix |
|---|---|---|
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 | Affected | No fix planned: Out of support scope |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 | Affected | No fix planned: Out of support scope |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 | Affected | No fix planned: Will not fix |
| Red Hat CodeReady Linux Builder (v. 8) | Fixed | RHSA-2021:1852 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 8) | Fixed | RHSA-2021:1852 |
Not affected: 1 product
- Red Hat 3scale API Management Platform 2
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2020-16304
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-5rw8-mcp9-pvpg
References
Advisory 4
Sources
- CVE-2020-16304 · CVE Program
- CVE-2020-16304 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-5rw8-mcp9-pvpg · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
- CVE-2020-16304 · 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