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CVE Record

CVE-2020-16296: A buffer overflow vulnerability in GetNumWrongData() in contrib/lips4/gdevlips.c of Artifex Software GhostS...

A buffer overflow vulnerability in GetNumWrongData() in contrib/lips4/gdevlips.c of Artifex Software GhostScript from v9.18 to 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

CVE-2020-16296 is a Ghostscript buffer overflow that can crash PDF processing when a crafted PDF is handled. The public record describes denial of service, not data theft or code execution. Organizations should prioritize systems that automatically process PDFs from customers, partners, email, or web uploads.

Executive priority

Handle as a service reliability risk, especially for customer-facing document workflows. It is not evidenced as actively exploited or code-execution capable in the supplied sources, but exposed PDF processing paths should still be patched promptly.

Technical view

The issue is a buffer overflow in GetNumWrongData() in contrib/lips4/gdevlips.c in Artifex Ghostscript versions 9.18 through 9.50. Sources state a remote attacker can trigger denial of service with a crafted PDF file. The fix is reported in Ghostscript 9.51, with Linux distribution security advisories available.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most likely where Ghostscript 9.18 through 9.50 processes untrusted PDF files. This includes servers, workstations, or automated workflows that convert, preview, print, or inspect PDFs. Source data does not provide affected CPEs or a CVSS score.

Exploitation context

The CVE record says exploitation requires a crafted PDF and results in denial of service. CISA KEV is false in the supplied bundle, and no cited source in the bundle states active exploitation. Treat exploit status as unconfirmed.

Researcher notes

The primary technical anchor is GetNumWrongData() in contrib/lips4/gdevlips.c. The source bundle identifies a fixing commit and multiple distribution advisories. Evidence is incomplete for CVSS, CWE classification, exact CPEs, and exploitation in the wild.

Mitigation direction

  • Upgrade Ghostscript to version 9.51 or later where directly managed.
  • Apply relevant distribution security updates for Debian, Ubuntu, Gentoo, or other maintained packages.
  • Limit Ghostscript exposure to trusted PDF inputs where immediate patching is delayed.
  • Review vendor guidance before applying non-standard workarounds.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Ghostscript versions and identify any 9.18 through 9.50 installations.
  • Map services that pass externally supplied PDFs to Ghostscript.
  • Confirm patched package versions against distribution advisories.
  • Check change records for Ghostscript 9.51 or vendor backported fixes.
Prepared
Confidence
high
Sources
7

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

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CVE-2020-16296 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
9Source 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

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.