In Artifex Ghostscript before 10.05.0, a vulnerability exists in the decode_utf8 function within the base/gp_utf8.c file. This vulnerability allows for mishandling of overlong UTF-8 encoding, which could lead to unauthorized access or data manipulation. This issue exists due to an incomplete fix for CVE-2024-46954.
The severity of this vulnerability is classified as medium, with a CVSS score of 4.5. This score indicates a moderate risk level, necessitating attention from security teams. The impact includes low confidentiality and integrity, with no impact on availability.
Risk to organizations includes potential exploitation by local attackers. Given the nature of this vulnerability and its potential impacts, organizations should prioritize addressing it in their patch cycles.
At this time, there are no known public exploits or proofs of concept available for this vulnerability, but defenders should remain vigilant.
Organizations should address this vulnerability in their priority patch cycle.
Vulnerability Details
The vulnerability in question affects Artifex Ghostscript, specifically versions prior to 10.05.0. The vulnerability type is classified as a mishandling of overlong UTF-8 encoding, leading to potential unauthorized access or data manipulation. The official CVE description highlights the incomplete fix related to a previous vulnerability (CVE-2024-46954).
The CVSS v3.1 score of 4.5 falls within the medium severity range. This scoring indicates that while the risk is not critical, it is significant enough to warrant immediate attention.
The affected product is Ghostscript by Artifex. The vulnerability was published on April 26, 2025, and is classified under CWE-24.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability is the mishandling of overlong UTF-8 encoding within the decode_utf8 function. The attack vector is local, meaning that an attacker must have access to the local machine to exploit this vulnerability.
The attack complexity is rated as high, which indicates that successful exploitation may require specific conditions or knowledge on the part of the attacker. Additionally, this vulnerability does not require any user interaction and does not require elevated privileges to exploit.
In terms of impact, the confidentiality and integrity impacts are both low, while the availability impact is noted as none. This vulnerability does not lead to system crashes or downtime.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The real-world risk associated with this vulnerability primarily involves local exploitation. If an attacker gains access to a system running a vulnerable version of Ghostscript, they can potentially manipulate data or access sensitive information.
This vulnerability matters to organizations that utilize Ghostscript for processing or rendering documents. The potential for data manipulation poses a significant risk, especially in environments where document integrity is crucial.
Organizations should assess their deployment of Ghostscript and prioritize patching in accordance with their risk management frameworks. The urgency for remediation is moderate, given the medium severity rating.
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
All versions of Artifex Ghostscript prior to 10.05.0 are affected by this vulnerability. Organizations should ensure they update to this version or later to mitigate the associated risks.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should prioritize patching Ghostscript to version 10.05.0 or later to remediate this vulnerability. If a patch is not immediately available, organizations can consider workarounds such as restricting access to the application and implementing network controls to limit exposure.
For ongoing security, organizations should evaluate their configuration settings and consider integrating continuous penetration testing into their security assessments.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for unusual activity related to the Ghostscript application. Behavioral anomalies may indicate attempts to exploit this vulnerability.
Network signatures related to unauthorized access attempts should also be tracked. Regular reviews of system changes can help in identifying potential exploitation.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2025-46646 is notable as it represents a recurring issue with overlong UTF-8 encoding in Ghostscript, necessitating ongoing vigilance from security teams.
This vulnerability highlights the importance of robust testing and validation processes for software updates and patches.
Organizations are encouraged to review their security policies and ensure they are equipped to respond to similar vulnerabilities in the future. Integrating a vulnerability management program can help in identifying and mitigating such risks proactively.
For organizations using Ghostscript, this incident serves as a reminder to ensure that their software is up-to-date and that they are prepared for potential security challenges.
Lastly, leveraging resources such as penetration testing methodology can enhance an organization's defenses against similar vulnerabilities.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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