CVE-2024-29506

What it actually does

Stack-based buffer overflow in pdfi_apply_filter() triggered by an excessively long PDF filter name, enabling memory corruption and potential arbitrary code execution.

Why it matters to the business

Attackers can crash document-processing applications or execute code when users open malicious PDFs, disrupting workflows that rely on Ghostscript for rendering or conversion.

How an attack unfolds

An attacker creates a specially crafted PDF containing a filter name longer than the allocated stack buffer. When Ghostscript processes the PDF through pdfi_apply_filter(), the overflow corrupts adjacent memory, allowing control of execution flow.

How to fix it

Upgrade Artifex Ghostscript to version 10.03.0 or later. Until then, restrict processing of untrusted PDFs and apply sandboxing or input validation where possible.

How to confirm the fix worked

Verify installed Ghostscript version is 10.03.0 or newer. Test with known long-filter-name PDFs in a controlled environment and monitor for crashes or unexpected behavior.

Typical attack path

1. Craft malicious PDF with oversized filter name
2. Deliver PDF to target via email, web, or file share
3. Victim opens or processes PDF with vulnerable Ghostscript
4. Overflow triggers memory corruption and potential code execution

How to detect it

Review application logs and crash reports for Ghostscript segmentation faults or buffer overflow indicators when processing PDFs. Correlate with file creation or access events involving suspicious PDFs.

What your security team should do

• Immediately upgrade all Ghostscript installations to 10.03.0 or later
• Block or sandbox untrusted PDF processing until patched
• Add version checks to software inventories and CI pipelines
• Monitor for new exploit code or public PoCs