Heap-Based Overflow in Ghostscript Prior to 10.03.0

CVE-2024-29509

What is CVE-2024-29509?

CVE-2024-29509 is a vulnerability affecting versions of Ghostscript prior to 10.03.0, which is a widely used interpreter for PostScript and PDF files. This specific vulnerability involves a heap-based overflow associated with the handling of PDFPassword, particularly when there is a null byte (\000) present in the data. If exploited, this flaw could lead to various detrimental effects on an organization's systems, as Ghostscript is frequently utilized in document processing scenarios. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to execute malicious attacks, ultimately jeopardizing the integrity and confidentiality of sensitive data.

Technical Details

The vulnerability arises from a heap-based buffer overflow, which occurs when a program writes more data to a buffer located on the heap than it can hold. In the case of CVE-2024-29509, this overflow can be triggered by specific input conditions related to the PDFPassword functionality. If a null byte is introduced in the input, the resultant manipulation could allow an attacker to overwrite memory, potentially leading to unpredictable behavior in the application, crashes, or even remote code execution if further exploited. This vulnerability highlights the importance of stringent input validation and memory management practices in software applications that process user-generated content.

Potential impact of CVE-2024-29509

1. Remote Code Execution: Attackers could exploit this vulnerability to gain the ability to execute arbitrary code on the compromised system, granting them full control and the potential for further malicious activities.

2. Data Breaches: The successful exploitation of this vulnerability may allow unauthorized access to sensitive data processed by Ghostscript, leading to possible data theft and exposure of confidential information within an organization.

3. System Instability: The overflow could result in crashes or erratic behavior of applications dependent on Ghostscript, causing potential disruptions in workflows and diminishing system reliability and performance.

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