CVE-2018-16509
HighExploitedPublic exploitIncorrect "restoration of privilege" checking during handling of /invalidaccess exceptions could be used by attackers able to supply crafted PostScript to execute code using the "pipe" instruction.
Published Sep 5, 2018 · Updated Aug 4, 2026 · Also known as DEBIAN-CVE-2018-16509, DSA-4294-1, UBUNTU-CVE-2018-16509
Key Facts
Patch immediately- CVE-2018-16509 is a high-severity vulnerability (CVSS 7.8 v3.1) affecting Ghostscript (Artifex), Gpl Ghostscript (Artifex), Ubuntu Linux (Canonical) and 22 more products.
- It is exploited in the wild, listed in Industry KEV feed since May 10, 2024. Public exploit code is available.
- EPSS estimates a 92% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- Fixed versions are available, including Ghostscript 9.24, Ghostscript 0:8.70-24.el6_10.2, Ghostscript 0:9.07-29.el7_5.2.
- Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
CVSS v3.1
7.8
CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)
92%
Higher than 99.8% of all scored CVEs
Exploited in the wild
Yes
1 catalog listing
Public exploit code
Available
Proof-of-concept or weaponized module
Get the full CVE-2018-16509 brief as a PDF
Every affected product and fixed release, exploitation status and a first 24 hours response checklist, emailed within minutes.
Description
An issue was discovered in Artifex Ghostscript before 9.24. Incorrect "restoration of privilege" checking during handling of /invalidaccess exceptions could be used by attackers able to supply crafted PostScript to execute code using the "pipe" instruction.
Known-Exploited Catalog Listings
| Catalog | Added | Remediation due | Ransomware use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Industry KEV feed | May 10, 2024 | n/a | Not reported |
Required action: Apply remediations or mitigations per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if remediation or mitigations are unavailable.
Affected Products
150 affected entries in total| Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| GhostscriptArtifex | See advisory | 9.24 |
| Gpl GhostscriptArtifex | See advisory | 9.26 |
| Ubuntu LinuxCanonical | 14.04, 16.04, 18.04 | n/a |
| Debian LinuxDebian | 8.0, 9.0 | n/a |
| Enterprise Linux DesktopRedhat | 6.0, 7.0 | n/a |
Patched Releases
Ghostscript
9.24, 0:8.70-24.el6_10.2, 0:9.07-29.el7_5.2, 8.70-24.26.amzn1, 8.70-24.el6_10.2, 9.06-8.amzn2.0.5, 9.06~dfsg-2+deb8u8, 9.07-29.el7_5.2, 9.10~dfsg-0ubuntu10.13, 9.18~dfsg~0-0ubuntu2.9, 9.20~dfsg-3.2+deb9u5, 9.22~dfsg+1-0ubuntu1.2, 9.25-14.9.1, 9.25-23.13.1, 9.25-3.6.1, 9.25-lp150.2.6.1, 9.25~dfsg-1, 9.54.0-2.2
Gpl Ghostscript
9.26
ghostscript-cups
9.06-8.amzn2.0.5, 9.07-29.el7_5.2
ghostscript-devel
8.62-32.47.13.1, 8.70-24.26.amzn1, 8.70-24.el6_10.2, 9.06-8.amzn2.0.5, 9.07-29.el7_5.2, 9.25-14.9.1, 9.25-23.13.1, 9.25-3.6.1, 9.25-lp150.2.6.1, 9.54.0-2.2
ghostscript-doc
8.70-24.26.amzn1, 8.70-24.el6_10.2, 9.06-8.amzn2.0.5, 9.07-29.el7_5.2
ghostscript-fonts-other
8.62-32.47.13.1
ghostscript-fonts-rus
8.62-32.47.13.1
ghostscript-fonts-std
8.62-32.47.13.1
ghostscript-gtk
8.70-24.el6_10.2, 9.06-8.amzn2.0.5, 9.07-29.el7_5.2
ghostscript-ijs-devel
8.62-32.47.13.1
ghostscript-library
8.62-32.47.13.1
ghostscript-mini
9.25-14.9.1, 9.25-lp150.2.6.1
ghostscript-mini-devel
9.25-14.9.1, 9.25-lp150.2.6.1
ghostscript-omni
8.62-32.47.13.1
ghostscript-x11
8.62-32.47.13.1, 9.25-14.9.1, 9.25-23.13.1, 9.25-3.6.1, 9.25-lp150.2.6.1, 9.54.0-2.2
libgimpprint
4.2.7-32.47.13.1
libgimpprint-devel
4.2.7-32.47.13.1
libspectre
0.2.8-3.2.1, 0.2.8-lp150.2.3.1
libspectre-devel
0.2.8-3.2.1, 0.2.8-lp150.2.3.1
libspectre1
0.2.8-3.2.1, 0.2.8-lp150.2.3.1
rootio-ghostscript
9.25~dfsg-1
Timeline
Publicly disclosed
Sep 5, 2018
Added to Industry KEV feed
May 10, 2024
Last updated
Aug 4, 2026
References
- advisoryRHSA-2018:2918
- advisoryRHSA-2018:3760
- advisoryhttps://bugs.ghostscript.com/show_bug.cgi?id=699654
- advisoryhttps://bugzilla.suse.com/1050893
- advisoryhttps://bugzilla.suse.com/1106171
FAQ
Common Questions.
An issue was discovered in Artifex Ghostscript before 9.24.
Affected: Ghostscript (Artifex); Gpl Ghostscript (Artifex); Ubuntu Linux (Canonical) versions 14.04, 16.04, 18.04, among others. The full list is in the CVE brief.
It is exploited in the wild, listed in Industry KEV feed since May 10, 2024.
No, it is not currently listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.
Public exploit code is available.
Fixed versions are available, including Ghostscript 9.24, Ghostscript 0:8.70-24.el6_10.2, Ghostscript 0:9.07-29.el7_5.2.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
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