What is the CVSS score of CVE-2016-7979?

CVE-2016-7979 has a CVSS 3.0 base score of 9.8 (Critical). CVSS vector: CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. EPSS exploitation probability: 2.6%.

Is there a patch available for CVE-2016-7979?

Yes, a patch is available for CVE-2016-7979. Update the affected software to the latest version immediately.

Ghostscript CVE-2016-7979

CRITICAL

Incorrect Type Conversion or Cast (CWE-704)

2017-05-23 cve@mitre.org

RCE Ghostscript Artifex

9.8

CVSS 3.0 · NVD

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Vulnerability Assessment

Weakness	CWE CWE-704 ASVS 5.0 V15 - Secure Coding and Architecture Correct type conversion
Impact	CVSS score of 9.8 (CRITICAL). Attack characteristics: network attack vector, low complexity, no privileges required, no user interaction not required. EPSS exploitation probability: 2.63%.
Exploit ScenarioDerived	This vulnerability can be exploited remotely over the network. Successful exploitation could compromise the critical-severity affected system.

Act Now Prioritize within 24-48h. Why: CRITICAL severity.

Patch available 2.6% exploitation probability (EPSS)

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AnalysisAI

Ghostscript before 9.21 might allow remote attackers to bypass the SAFER mode protection mechanism and consequently execute arbitrary code by leveraging type confusion in .initialize_dsc_parser. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.

RemediationAI

A vendor patch is available. Apply the latest security update as soon as possible. Apply vendor patches when available. Implement network segmentation and monitoring as interim mitigations.

Affects your stack

Find out whether the stacks and servers you run are on an affected version.

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Technical ContextAI · show details

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-704. Ghostscript before 9.21 might allow remote attackers to bypass the SAFER mode protection mechanism and consequently execute arbitrary code by leveraging type confusion in .initialize_dsc_parser. Affected products include: Artifex Ghostscript. Version information: before 9.21.

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Exploit and PoC references, threat intelligence from 22 sources

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Severity by source

NVD PRIMARY 9.8 CRITICAL

AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Primary rating from NVD · only source for this CVE.

CVSS VectorNVD

Attack Vector

Network

Attack Complexity

Low

Privileges Required

None

User Interaction

None

Scope

Unchanged

Confidentiality

High

Integrity

High

Availability

High

DescriptionCVE.org

Ghostscript before 9.21 might allow remote attackers to bypass the SAFER mode protection mechanism and consequently execute arbitrary code by leveraging type confusion in .initialize_dsc_parser.

Threat Intelligence Overview

EPSS Score

2.6%

Top 14% exploitable

Data Quality

3 sources

Confidence: Low

NVD

CVE.org

EPSS

How this decision was reached

The engine reads each signal below and applies a fixed list of rules from top to bottom. The first rule that matches sets the recommended action – like a statement, every line is shown.

SignalValue

Severity CRITICAL

CISA KEV No

Public POC No

EPSS 2.6%

Patch available Yes

Active threat No

Deciding rule

CRITICAL severity

What every action level means

Emergency Immediate action required. Criteria: CRITICAL + in CISA KEV (actively exploited) without patch, OR CRITICAL + EPSS > 30% without patch, OR CRITICAL + active threat signals without patch.

Act Now Prioritize within 24-48h. Criteria: in KEV with patch available, OR CRITICAL + public POC, OR HIGH + EPSS > 10%, OR CRITICAL + active threat, OR any CRITICAL severity.

This Week Schedule remediation this week. Criteria: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9). Patch within normal change window.

This Month Plan within 30 days. Criteria: MEDIUM severity (CVSS 4.0-6.9), lower exploitation probability. Include in regular patch cycle.

Monitor Track and reassess. Criteria: LOW severity (CVSS 0.1-3.9), minimal exploitation risk. No immediate action needed.

SSVC AssessmentENISA

SSVC Decision· derived

Scheduled

Exploitation· derived

None

System Exposure· derived

Open

Automatable· derived

Yes

Human Impact· derived

Medium

Priority Score

Low Medium High Critical

KEV: 0

EPSS: +3

CVSS: +49

PoC: 0

Weaponized: 0

Threat intel: 0

Gov advisory: 0

Attack Technique

Remote Code Execution CRITICAL

Remote Code Execution represents the critical moment when an attacker successfully runs arbitrary code on a target system without physical access.

Affected Products (CPE)CVE.org

cpe:2.3:a:artifex:ghostscript:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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Same weakness CWE-704 – Incorrect Type Conversion or Cast

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References

Advisories & patches

PATCH http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/10/05/15 PATCH https://bugs.ghostscript.com/show_bug.cgi?id=697190 REF http://git.ghostscript.com/?p=ghostpdl.git%3Bh=875a0095f37626a721c7ff57d606a0f95af03913 REF http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017-0013.html REF http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017-0014.html REF http://www.debian.org/security/2016/dsa-3691 REF http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/95337 REF https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201702-31

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