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CVE Record

CVE-2020-16293: A null pointer dereference vulnerability in compose_group_nonknockout_nonblend_isolated_allmask_common() in...

A null pointer dereference vulnerability in compose_group_nonknockout_nonblend_isolated_allmask_common() in base/gxblend.c of Artifex Software GhostScript v9.50 allows a remote attacker to cause a denial of service via a crafted PDF file. This is fixed in v9.51.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

Ghostscript v9.50 can crash when processing a specially crafted PDF. The reported impact is denial of service, not data theft or code execution. Systems that automatically handle PDFs from users, email, web uploads, or document pipelines are the main business concern.

Executive priority

Treat this as a targeted availability risk. It is most urgent for customer-facing or operational workflows where PDF processing failure can interrupt service delivery, queues, or document handling.

Technical view

CVE-2020-16293 is a null pointer dereference in compose_group_nonknockout_nonblend_isolated_allmask_common() in base/gxblend.c. The source bundle states Artifex Ghostscript v9.50 is affected and v9.51 fixes it. Debian, Gentoo, and Ubuntu issued security updates.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most likely where Ghostscript v9.50 or vulnerable distribution packages process untrusted PDF files automatically. The bundle does not identify broader affected product lists beyond Ghostscript and downstream Linux advisories.

Exploitation context

The CVE description says a remote attacker can cause denial of service with a crafted PDF. CISA KEV status is false, and the provided sources do not state active exploitation.

Researcher notes

Evidence is limited: no CVSS, CWE, or detailed affected CPEs are included. The strongest source-grounded facts are the null dereference location, Ghostscript v9.50 affected statement, v9.51 fix, and downstream Linux advisories.

Mitigation direction

  • Upgrade Ghostscript to v9.51 or a vendor-patched package.
  • Apply Debian, Gentoo, or Ubuntu security updates where applicable.
  • Prioritize PDF-processing servers and automated document workflows.
  • Check vendor guidance for any environment-specific remediation.
  • Avoid treating unpatched PDF processing paths as resilient services.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory installed Ghostscript versions across servers and containers.
  • Confirm Linux package versions match vendor security advisories.
  • Identify services that process PDFs from untrusted sources.
  • Review crash logs for Ghostscript failures during PDF handling.
  • Confirm patched hosts no longer report Ghostscript v9.50.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
8

Public sources used

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.

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CVE-2020-16293 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Unknown
CVSS
Not scored
Known Exploited
No
Published
Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

0CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
7Source links

CVSS and timeline data

No CVSS vectors or timeline events were available in the normalized CVE source material.

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
n/an/an/aListed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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