ghostpdl: Incorrect Use of Privileged APIs
CVE-2026-125396 is a high-severity incorrect use of privileged apis vulnerability in ghostpdl from ArtifexSoftware, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8 out of 10. It can be exploited with local access to the system by an unauthenticated attacker, but only if a user takes part, for example by opening a link or file. The record lists version 10.08.0 as the first without the flaw, so updating ghostpdl to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.13% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update ghostpdl to 10.08.0 or a later version.
- Because the attack needs a user to take part, warn users about unexpected links and files related to this product until it is patched.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| ArtifexSoftware | ghostpdl | before 10.08.0 | 10.08.0 |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- LocalThe attacker needs local access or must trick a user into running something.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- RequiredA user must take an action such as opening a file or link.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA (vulncheck.com).
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 4.0 | 8.5 | High | CNA (vulncheck.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.8 | High | CNA (vulncheck.com) |
Official description
Ghostscript before 10.08.0 contains a -dSAFER bypass vulnerability in the .putgstringcopy procedure in gs_fonts.ps, which calls the privileged .forceput operator without checking operand types. Attackers can supply crafted PostScript or PDF documents that trigger a type error, recover .forceput via a custom error handler, and cause a use-after-free across save/restore to execute arbitrary code.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Incorrect Use of Privileged APIs
The product does not conform to the API requirements for a function call that requires extra privileges. This could allow attackers to gain privileges by causing the function to be called incorrectly.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Before calling privileged APIs, always ensure that the assumptions made by the privileged code hold true prior to making the call.
- Know architecture and implementation weaknesses of the privileged APIs and make sure to account for these weaknesses before calling the privileged APIs to ensure that they can be called safely.
- If privileged APIs make certain assumptions about data, context or state validity that are passed by the caller, the calling code must ensure that these assumptions have been validated prior to making the call.
More Incorrect Use of Privileged APIs vulnerabilities (CWE-648)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Patches and release notes
Other references
Recent Incorrect Use of Privileged APIs vulnerabilities
- 7.3 High severity
- 10.0 Critical severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.4 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
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