CVE-2017-8291
HighExploitedPublic exploitArtifex Ghostscript through 2017-04-26 allows -dSAFER bypass and remote command execution via .rsdparams type confusion with a "/OutputFile (%pipe%" substring in a crafted .eps document that is an input to the gs program, as exploited in the wild in April 2017.
Published Apr 27, 2017 · Updated Aug 4, 2026 · Also known as ALPINE-CVE-2017-8291, DEBIAN-CVE-2017-8291, DLA-932-1, SUSE-SU-2017:1153-1, SUSE-SU-2017:1322-1, UBUNTU-CVE-2017-8291
Key Facts
Patch immediately- CVE-2017-8291 is a high-severity vulnerability (CVSS 7.8 v3.1) affecting Ghostscript (Artifex), Debian Linux, Enterprise Linux Desktop (Redhat) and 21 more products.
- It is exploited in the wild, listed in CISA KEV, Industry KEV feed, CIRCL KEV, ENISA EUVD since Apr 27, 2017. Public exploit code is available.
- EPSS estimates a 97% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- Fixed versions are available, including Ghostscript 9.21, Ghostscript 0:8.70-23.el6_9.2, Ghostscript 0:9.07-20.el7_3.5.
- Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
CVSS v3.1
7.8
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)
97%
Higher than 99.8% of all scored CVEs
Exploited in the wild
Yes
4 catalog listings
Public exploit code
Available
Proof-of-concept or weaponized module
Get the full CVE-2017-8291 brief as a PDF
Every affected product and fixed release, exploitation status and a first 24 hours response checklist, emailed within minutes.
Description
Artifex Ghostscript through 2017-04-26 allows -dSAFER bypass and remote command execution via .rsdparams type confusion with a "/OutputFile (%pipe%" substring in a crafted .eps document that is an input to the gs program, as exploited in the wild in April 2017.
Known-Exploited Catalog Listings
| Catalog | Added | Remediation due | Ransomware use |
|---|---|---|---|
| CISA KEV | May 24, 2022 | Jun 14, 2022 | Not reported |
| Industry KEV feed | Apr 27, 2017 | Jun 14, 2022 | Not reported |
| CIRCL KEV | May 24, 2022 | Jun 14, 2022 | Not reported |
| ENISA EUVD | May 24, 2022 | n/a | Not reported |
Required action: Apply updates per vendor instructions.
Affected Products
172 affected entries in total| Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| GhostscriptArtifex | See advisory | 9.21 |
| Debian LinuxDebian | 8.0 | n/a |
| Enterprise Linux DesktopRedhat | 6.0, 7.0 | n/a |
| Enterprise Linux EusRedhat | 7.3, 7.4, 7.5, 7.6, 7.7 | n/a |
| Enterprise Linux ServerRedhat | 6.0, 7.0 | n/a |
Patched Releases
Ghostscript
9.21, 0:8.70-23.el6_9.2, 0:9.07-20.el7_3.5, 8.70-23.25.amzn1, 8.70-23.el6_9.2, 9.05~dfsg-6.3+deb7u6, 9.06~dfsg-2+deb8u5, 9.07-20.el7_3.5, 9.10~dfsg-0ubuntu10.7, 9.15-11.3.1, 9.15-20.1, 9.15-22.1, 9.18~dfsg~0-0ubuntu2.4, 9.20~dfsg-3.1, 9.21-2, 9.21-r0, 9.21-r2, 9.54.0-2.2
ghostscript-cups
9.07-20.el7_3.5
ghostscript-devel
8.62-32.44.1, 8.62-32.46.1, 8.70-23.25.amzn1, 8.70-23.el6_9.2, 9.07-20.el7_3.5, 9.15-11.3.1, 9.15-20.1, 9.15-22.1, 9.54.0-2.2
ghostscript-doc
8.70-23.25.amzn1, 8.70-23.el6_9.2, 9.07-20.el7_3.5
ghostscript-fonts-other
8.62-32.44.1, 8.62-32.46.1
ghostscript-fonts-rus
8.62-32.44.1, 8.62-32.46.1
ghostscript-fonts-std
8.62-32.44.1, 8.62-32.46.1
ghostscript-gtk
8.70-23.el6_9.2, 9.07-20.el7_3.5
ghostscript-ijs-devel
8.62-32.44.1, 8.62-32.46.1
ghostscript-library
8.62-32.44.1, 8.62-32.46.1
ghostscript-mini
9.15-11.3.1
ghostscript-mini-devel
9.15-11.3.1
ghostscript-omni
8.62-32.44.1, 8.62-32.46.1
ghostscript-x11
8.62-32.44.1, 8.62-32.46.1, 9.15-11.3.1, 9.15-20.1, 9.15-22.1, 9.54.0-2.2
libgimpprint
4.2.7-32.44.1, 4.2.7-32.46.1
libgimpprint-devel
4.2.7-32.44.1, 4.2.7-32.46.1
rootio-ghostscript
9.20~dfsg-3.1, 9.21-r2
Timeline
Publicly disclosed
Apr 27, 2017
Added to Industry KEV feed
Apr 27, 2017
Added to CISA KEV
May 24, 2022
Added to CIRCL KEV
May 24, 2022
Added to ENISA EUVD
May 24, 2022
Last updated
Aug 4, 2026
Weakness Type
- CWE-77 Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection')
- CWE-843 Access of Resource Using Incompatible Type ('Type Confusion')
References
- advisoryRHSA-2017:1230
- advisoryhttps://bugs.ghostscript.com/show_bug.cgi?id=697799
- advisoryhttps://bugs.ghostscript.com/show_bug.cgi?id=697808
- advisoryhttps://bugzilla.suse.com/1018128
- advisoryhttps://bugzilla.suse.com/1030263
FAQ
Common Questions.
Artifex Ghostscript through 2017-04-26 allows -dSAFER bypass and remote command execution via .rsdparams type confusion with a "/OutputFile (%pipe%" substring in a crafted .eps document that is an input to the gs program, as exploited in the wild in April 2017.
Affected: Ghostscript (Artifex); Debian Linux versions 8.0; Enterprise Linux Desktop (Redhat) versions 6.0, 7.0, among others. The full list is in the CVE brief.
It is exploited in the wild, listed in CISA KEV, Industry KEV feed, CIRCL KEV, ENISA EUVD since Apr 27, 2017.
Yes. It was added on May 24, 2022 with a federal remediation due date of Jun 14, 2022.
Public exploit code is available.
Fixed versions are available, including Ghostscript 9.21, Ghostscript 0:8.70-23.el6_9.2, Ghostscript 0:9.07-20.el7_3.5.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
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