CVE-2020-16306: n/a vulnerability

CVE-2020-16306: A null pointer dereference vulnerability in devices/gdevtsep.c of Artifex Software GhostScript v9.50 allows...

A null pointer dereference vulnerability in devices/gdevtsep.c of Artifex Software GhostScript v9.50 allows a remote attacker to cause a denial of service via a crafted postscript file. This is fixed in v9.51.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdatedAug 4, 2024, 13:37 UTC (UTC+00:00)

Security readout for executives and security teams

Ghostscript 9.50 can crash when it handles a specially crafted PostScript file. The reported impact is denial of service, not data theft or code execution. The source bundle says this was fixed in Ghostscript 9.51, and multiple Linux distributions issued security updates. Exposure is most likely where Ghostscript v9.50 processes untrusted PostScript files, including document conversion, print, preview, or server-side file handling workflows. Debian, Gentoo, and Ubuntu advisories indicate distribution-packaged Ghostscript updates were relevant. Prioritize patching internet-facing or shared document-processing services first. This is a service availability risk with no cited evidence of active exploitation or code execution in the provided sources, but untrusted-file processing can create business disruption. Mitigation focus: Upgrade Ghostscript to v9.51 or a vendor-patched package.; Apply Debian, Gentoo, Ubuntu, or other distribution security updates where applicable.; Limit Ghostscript processing of untrusted PostScript files until patched..

Prepared: Jun 3, 2026, 10:59 UTC (UTC+00:00)

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

Potential ATT&CK relevance

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record

Severity: Unknown
CVSS: Not scored
Known Exploited: No
Published: Aug 13, 2020, 02:09 UTC (UTC+00:00)

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

6Source links

CVSS and timeline data

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

Source materials

CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
https://bugs.ghostscript.com/show_bug.cgi?id=701821CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
[debian-lts-announce] 20200820 [SECURITY] [DLA 2335-1] ghostscript security updateCVE reference · mailing-list, x_refsource_MLIST
DSA-4748CVE reference · vendor-advisory, x_refsource_DEBIAN
GLSA-202008-20CVE reference · vendor-advisory, x_refsource_GENTOO
USN-4469-1CVE reference · vendor-advisory, x_refsource_UBUNTU

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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