Artifex Ghostscript CVE-2019-14812 Remote Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

Description

Ghostscript is prone to a remote privilege-escalation vulnerability. A remote attacker can exploit this issue to gain elevated privileges and access arbitrary files or execute arbitrary commands on the affected system. Versions prior to Ghostscript 9.50 are vulnerable.

Technologies Affected

• Artifex Ghostscript 9.07
• Artifex Ghostscript 9.15
• Artifex Ghostscript 9.21
• Artifex Ghostscript 9.22
• Artifex Ghostscript 9.25
• Artifex Ghostscript 9.26
• Artifex Ghostscript 9.27
• Artifex Ghostscript 9.28
• Redhat 3scale API Management Platform 2.6
• Redhat CodeReady Linux Builder for ARM 64 8
• Redhat CodeReady Linux Builder for IBM z Systems 8
• Redhat CodeReady Linux Builder for Power little endian 8
• Redhat CodeReady Linux Builder for x86_64 8
• Redhat Enterprise Linux Desktop 7
• Redhat Enterprise Linux EUS Compute Node 7.7
• Redhat Enterprise Linux Server - AUS 7.7
• Redhat Enterprise Linux Server - TUS 7.7
• Redhat Enterprise Linux Server - Update Services for SAP Solutions 7.7
• Redhat Enterprise Linux Server 7
• Redhat Enterprise Linux Workstation 7
• Redhat Enterprise Linux for ARM 64 8
• Redhat Enterprise Linux for IBM z Systems - Extended Update Support 7.7
• Redhat Enterprise Linux for IBM z Systems 7
• Redhat Enterprise Linux for IBM z Systems 8
• Redhat Enterprise Linux for Power, big endian - Extended Update Support 7.7
• Redhat Enterprise Linux for Power, big endian 7
• Redhat Enterprise Linux for Power, little endian - Extended Update Supp 7.7
• Redhat Enterprise Linux for Power, little endian 7
• Redhat Enterprise Linux for Power, little endian 8
• Redhat Enterprise Linux for Scientific Computing 7
• Redhat Enterprise Linux for x86_64 - Extended Update Support 7.7
• Redhat Enterprise Linux for x86_64 8
• Ubuntu Ubuntu Linux 16.04 LTS
• Ubuntu Ubuntu Linux 18.04 LTS
• Ubuntu Ubuntu Linux 19.04

Recommendations

Block external access at the network boundary, unless external parties require service.
Filter access to the affected computer at the network boundary if global access isn’t needed. Restricting access to only trusted computers and networks might greatly reduce the likelihood of a successful exploit.

Run all software as a nonprivileged user with minimal access rights.
To reduce the impact of latent vulnerabilities, always run nonadministrative software as an unprivileged user with minimal access rights.

Deploy network intrusion detection systems to monitor network traffic for malicious activity.
Deploy NIDS to monitor network traffic for signs of anomalous or suspicious activity. This may indicate exploit attempts or activity that results from successful exploits.

Updates are available. Please see the references or vendor advisory for more information.