CVE-2016-7976Ghostscript Vulnerability
The PS Interpreter in Ghostscript 9.18 and 9.20 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via crafted userparams.
Published Aug 7, 2017 · Updated Aug 4, 2026 · Also known as DEBIAN-CVE-2016-7976, UBUNTU-CVE-2016-7976
Key Facts
Patch immediately- CVE-2016-7976 is a high-severity vulnerability (CVSS 8.8 v3.1) affecting Ghostscript (Artifex), rootio-ghostscript, ghostscript-devel (suse) and 1 more product.
- It is not listed in any known-exploited vulnerabilities catalog. Public exploit code is available.
- EPSS estimates a 23% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- Fixed versions are available, including Ghostscript 9.05~dfsg-6.3+deb7u3, Ghostscript 9.06~dfsg-2+deb8u3, Ghostscript 9.10~dfsg-0ubuntu10.5.
- Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because public exploit code exists for a high-severity flaw.
Scores
CVSS v3.1
8.8
CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)
23%
Higher than 97.7% of all scored CVEs
Exploit maturity
Weaponized
ATLAS score
52/100
Publication score, see How it works
Exploitation Verdict
KEV listed
Not listed
Federal due date
None
No federal due date
Ransomware use
Not reported
Attributed actors
None named
Exploit & Defence Guidance
Exploit maturity
Weaponized
Public exploit code
1
Proof-of-concept links
In-the-wild evidence
0
Reports of active use
Advisories And Exploit References
- advisoryhttps://security-tracker.debian.org/tracker/CVE-2016-7976
- advisoryhttps://ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2016-7976
- advisoryhttps://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2016-7976
- advisoryhttps://bugs.ghostscript.com/show_bug.cgi?id=697178
- advisoryGLSA-201702-31
- advisoryhttps://ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-3148-1
Description
The PS Interpreter in Ghostscript 9.18 and 9.20 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via crafted userparams.
Affected Products
19 affected entries in total| Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| GhostscriptArtifex | 9.18, 9.20 | 9.19~dfsg-3.1 |
| rootio-ghostscriptrootio | See advisory | 9.19~dfsg-3.1 |
| ghostscript-develsuse | See advisory | 9.20-2.1 |
| ghostscript-x11suse | See advisory | 9.20-2.1 |
Patched Releases
Ghostscript
9.05~dfsg-6.3+deb7u3, 9.06~dfsg-2+deb8u3, 9.10~dfsg-0ubuntu10.5, 9.18~dfsg~0-0ubuntu2.2, 9.19~dfsg-3.1, 9.20-2.1
ghostscript-devel
9.20-2.1
ghostscript-x11
9.20-2.1
rootio-ghostscript
9.19~dfsg-3.1
Timeline
Publicly disclosed
Aug 7, 2017
Last updated
Aug 4, 2026
Weakness Type
- CWE-20 Improper Input Validation
References
- advisorysecurity-tracker.debian.org · CVE-2016-7976
- advisoryubuntu.com · CVE-2016-7976
- advisorycve.org · CVERecord
- advisorybugs.ghostscript.com · show_bug.cgi
- advisoryGLSA-201702-31
FAQ
Common Questions.
The PS Interpreter in Ghostscript 9.18 and 9.20 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via crafted userparams.
Affected: Ghostscript (Artifex) versions 9.18, 9.20; rootio-ghostscript; ghostscript-devel (suse), among others. The full list is in the CVE brief.
It is not listed in any known-exploited vulnerabilities catalog.
No, it is not currently listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.
Public exploit code is available.
Fixed versions are available, including Ghostscript 9.05~dfsg-6.3+deb7u3, Ghostscript 9.06~dfsg-2+deb8u3, Ghostscript 9.10~dfsg-0ubuntu10.5.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because public exploit code exists for a high-severity flaw.
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