CVE-2023-36664 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting Artifex Ghostscript versions up to 10.01.2. This vulnerability allows for the mishandling of permission validation for pipe devices, specifically those prefixed with %pipe% or the | pipe character. The impact of such a vulnerability can be extensive, leading to potential unauthorized command execution, data leaks, or system compromises.
The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 7.8, categorizing it as high severity. This score indicates that the vulnerability poses a significant risk to confidentiality, integrity, and availability, particularly in environments where Ghostscript is deployed. Exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to serious security breaches.
Currently, the vulnerability does not appear in the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, but there are public proofs of concept (PoC) available on GitHub, indicating that the vulnerability is exploitable. Organizations using affected versions of Ghostscript should assess their exposure and take immediate action.
Given the high severity of CVE-2023-36664, organizations should prioritize patching immediately. This vulnerability represents a real threat, particularly in local environments where Ghostscript is used heavily for document processing.
Vulnerability Details
The official CVE description states that Artifex Ghostscript through version 10.01.2 mishandles permission validation for pipe devices (with the %pipe% prefix or the | pipe character prefix). This vulnerability is classified as CWE-552, indicating improper permissions management.
The vulnerability has a CVSS score of 7.8, which reflects a high level of risk. The attack vector is local, requiring an attacker to have local access to the affected system, and it entails low complexity with no privileges required. User interaction is necessary to exploit this vulnerability.
It impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability, all rated as high. Organizations should be aware of the implications of this vulnerability in their operational environments.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of CVE-2023-36664 lies in Ghostscript's inadequate handling of permission validations for pipe devices. This flaw allows attackers to bypass intended security mechanisms, enabling unauthorized access to system resources.
The attack vector is local, necessitating that an attacker has physical or remote access to the machine where Ghostscript is installed. The attack complexity is low, making it easier for an attacker to exploit the vulnerability once access is obtained.
No special privileges are required to exploit this vulnerability, but user interaction is necessary, which could involve an unsuspecting user executing malicious scripts or commands.
The vulnerability's potential impacts are severe, affecting confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Organizations using Ghostscript should closely monitor their systems for any unusual activity that may indicate an exploit attempt.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The risk to organizations includes unauthorized access to sensitive data, manipulation of documents, or complete system compromise. Attackers may leverage this vulnerability to execute commands that could lead to data loss or corruption.
The blast radius for this vulnerability can be extensive, especially in environments where Ghostscript is used for processing sensitive documents. The urgency for remediation is heightened by the vulnerability's high CVSS score and the availability of public exploit information.
Organizations should address this vulnerability in their priority patch cycle to mitigate potential risks associated with exploitation. The EPSS score of 0.064 indicates a high likelihood of exploitation in the wild, suggesting that prompt action is required.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | Yes |
Public PoC | Yes |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
Artifex Ghostscript versions up to 10.01.2 are affected by this vulnerability. Additionally, Debian Linux versions 11.0 and 12.0, as well as Fedora versions 37 and 38, are also vulnerable. Organizations should ensure they are running patched versions to mitigate the risk.
Mitigation & Remediation
To mitigate this vulnerability, organizations should apply the latest patches available for Ghostscript. Ensure that all systems running vulnerable versions are updated as soon as possible. If a patch is not immediately available, consider implementing workarounds, such as disabling the use of pipe devices or restricting access to the Ghostscript application.
Organizations should also consider enhancing their monitoring efforts to detect unusual behavior that may indicate exploitation attempts.
Detection Guidance
To detect potential exploitation of CVE-2023-36664, organizations should monitor logs for any unauthorized access attempts or unusual command executions involving Ghostscript. Behavioral anomalies, such as unexpected processes or resource utilization spikes, should be investigated.
Additionally, network signatures relating to the use of pipe devices should be established, and any system changes, especially around Ghostscript installations, should be closely monitored.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
CVE-2023-36664 highlights the importance of robust permission validation in software applications. The vulnerability represents a potential gateway for attackers, particularly in local environments where Ghostscript is utilized.
Moreover, the availability of public exploits underscores the necessity for timely patch management. Organizations should ensure that they have a robust vulnerability management program to address emerging threats.
Finally, organizations should stay informed about vulnerabilities affecting their technology stack and the strategies to mitigate them.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
.webp)