HIGH
CVE-2018-16513
CWE-704Published: September 5, 2018· Updated: Jun 17, 2026
7.8
CVSS v3.1
Official Description
In Artifex Ghostscript before 9.24, attackers able to supply crafted PostScript files could use a type confusion in the setcolor function to crash the interpreter or possibly have unspecified other impact.
Technical Analysis
CVE-2018-16513 requires local access, meaning attackers must already have a foothold on the target system.
Exploitation does not require any privileges, though user interaction (Required) is needed, which slightly reduces the risk of mass automated attacks.
A successful exploit results in complete confidentiality breach (data exposure), full integrity compromise (data manipulation), availability disruption (denial of service), with a CVSS base score of 7.8.
CVSS v3.1 Vector Breakdown
Exploitability
Attack VectorLocal
Attack ComplexityLow
Privileges Req.None
User InteractionRequired
ScopeUnchanged
Impact
ConfidentialityHigh
IntegrityHigh
AvailabilityHigh
CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Affected Vendors & Products
artifex2 product(s)
ghostscriptgpl ghostscript
Canonical1 product(s)
ubuntu linux
Debian1 product(s)
debian linux
pulsesecure1 product(s)
pulse connect secure
Source: NVD CPE · 8 total CPE entries
Exploit & PoC Resources
NO KNOWN EXPLOITNo public exploit confirmed at this time
Exploit-DB
Offensive Security exploit database
GitHub PoC Search
Community PoC repositories
Rapid7 / Metasploit
Metasploit module search
PacketStorm
Security advisories & exploits
NVD Detail
Official NIST entry
MITRE CVE
CVE Program entry
External links open in a new tab. Always verify in a controlled environment before use.
Official Patches & Advisories
ADVISORYhttps://usn.ubuntu.com/3768-1/
ADVISORYhttps://usn.ubuntu.com/3768-1/
All References (18)
→
https://bugs.ghostscript.com/show_bug.cgi?id=699655Issue Tracking · Permissions Required · Vendor Advisory
→
https://kb.pulsesecure.net/articles/Pulse_Security_Advisories/SA44101Patch · Third Party Advisory
→
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2018/09/msg00015.htmlMailing List · Third Party Advisory
→
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201811-12Third Party Advisory
→
https://usn.ubuntu.com/3768-1/Third Party Advisory
→
https://www.artifex.com/news/ghostscript-security-resolved/Patch · Vendor Advisory
→
https://www.debian.org/security/2018/dsa-4288Third Party Advisory
→
https://bugs.ghostscript.com/show_bug.cgi?id=699655Issue Tracking · Permissions Required · Vendor Advisory
→
https://kb.pulsesecure.net/articles/Pulse_Security_Advisories/SA44101Patch · Third Party Advisory
→
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2018/09/msg00015.htmlMailing List · Third Party Advisory
→
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201811-12Third Party Advisory
Quick Facts
CVE IDCVE-2018-16513
CVSS Score7.8 / 10
SeverityHIGH
WeaknessCWE-704
CISA KEVNo
Affected4 vendor(s)
PublishedSep 5, 2018
Related CVEs (CWE-704)
Recommended Actions
- →Apply vendor patches immediately
- →Monitor CVE-2018-16513 in threat intel feeds
- →Review IDS/IPS signatures for exploitation attempts
Data sourced from NVD (NIST), CISA KEV, and EPSS (FIRST). Analysis generated by CTIWATCH.COM. CVE data is provided under the NVD usage policy.