CVE-2002-0838: Buffer overflow in (1) gv 3.5.8 and earlier, (2) gvv 1.0.2 and earlier, (3) ggv 1.99.90 and earlier, (4) gnome

This month

MEDIUM 4.6DOWNGRADEDOWNGRADEDOWNGRADE

CVE-2002-0838 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 4.6) affecting ggv, ghostview, gv. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Buffer overflow in (1) gv 3.5.8 and earlier, (2) gvv 1.0.2 and earlier, (3) ggv 1.99.90 and earlier, (4) gnome-gv, and (5) kghostview in kdegraphics 2.2.2 and earlier, allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via a malformed (a) PDF or (b) PostScript file, which is processed by an unsafe call to sscanf.

Why this priority

Public exploit reference

No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.

Risk facts

CVSS score	4.6 (Medium)
EPSS exploit chance	2.0% (top 19%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2002-10-10
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: ggv · ghostview · gv

Last updated 2026-06-16 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2002-10-10 04:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 21:58 UTCUpdated Record last modified

ggv ggv DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.0.2

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.0.2

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy ggv || rpm -q ggv || ggv --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.0.2 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison ggv sudo apt install ggv=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.0.2> sudo apt-mark hold ggv

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list ggv sudo dnf downgrade ggv-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.0.2> sudo dnf versionlock add ggv

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

ghostview ghostview DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.3 · 1.4 · 1.4.1 · 1.5

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.3

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy ghostview || rpm -q ghostview || ghostview --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.3 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison ghostview sudo apt install ghostview=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.3> sudo apt-mark hold ghostview

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list ghostview sudo dnf downgrade ghostview-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.3> sudo dnf versionlock add ghostview

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

gv gv DOWNGRADE

Affected: 2.7.6 · 2.7b1 · 2.7b2 · 2.7b3 · 2.7b4 · 2.7b5 · 2.9.4 · 3.0.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.7.6

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy gv || rpm -q gv || gv --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 2.7.6 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison gv sudo apt install gv=<VERSION_BEFORE_2.7.6> sudo apt-mark hold gv

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list gv sudo dnf downgrade gv-<VERSION_BEFORE_2.7.6> sudo dnf versionlock add gv

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

Public exploits and detection

Public code exists for this CVE. Treat unpatched systems as at risk, and only run PoCs in a lab.

Exploit-DB: GV 2.x/3.x - '.PDF'/'.PS' File Buffer Overflow (1)
Exploit-DB: GV 2.x/3.x - '.PDF'/'.PS' File Buffer Overflow (2)

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2002-0838?

ggv: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; ghostview: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; gv: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2002-0838 being exploited?

CVE-2002-0838 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2002-0838 affect?

CVE-2002-0838 affects ggv, ghostview, gv. Severity is medium (CVSS 4.6). Buffer overflow in (1) gv 3.5.8 and earlier, (2) gvv 1.0.2 and earlier, (3) ggv 1.99.90 and earlier, (4) gnome-gv, and (5) kghostview in kdegraphics 2.2.2 and earlier, allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via a malformed (a) PDF or (b

How urgent is CVE-2002-0838?

Priority 41/100. Public exploit reference

References

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