CVE-2019-10216 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

CVE-2019-10216 pertains to a vulnerability in ghostscript versions before 9.50 that could allow attackers to bypass security restrictions and gain unauthorized access to files.

Understanding CVE-2019-10216

This CVE identifies a security flaw in ghostscript versions prior to 9.50 that could lead to privilege escalation and unauthorized file access.

What is CVE-2019-10216?

Prior to version 9.50 of ghostscript, the .buildfont1 procedure lacked sufficient protection for its privileged calls, enabling malicious scripts to bypass security restrictions and potentially elevate privileges.

The Impact of CVE-2019-10216

The vulnerability in ghostscript before version 9.50 could allow attackers to bypass

-dSAFER

restrictions, leading to potential privilege escalation and unauthorized access to files outside restricted directories.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-10216

This section delves into the technical aspects of the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The .buildfont1 procedure in ghostscript versions before 9.50 did not adequately secure its privileged calls, allowing attackers to create specially crafted PostScript files to escalate privileges and access files beyond restricted areas.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: ghostscript
Vendor: ghostscript
Versions Affected: Before 9.50

Exploitation Mechanism

Attack Complexity: Low
Attack Vector: Network
Privileges Required: None
User Interaction: None
Scope: Unchanged
CVSS Base Score: 7.3 (High)

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2019-10216 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update ghostscript to version 9.50 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor for any unusual file access or privilege escalation attempts.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement least privilege access controls to limit potential damage from privilege escalation attacks.
Regularly review and update security configurations to prevent similar vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches and updates promptly to ensure systems are protected against known vulnerabilities.