CVE-2002-1569: gv 3.5.8, and possibly earlier versions, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metac

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HIGH 7.5DOWNGRADEDOWNGRADE

CVE-2002-1569 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) affecting ghostview, gv. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

gv 3.5.8, and possibly earlier versions, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in the filename for (1) a PDF file or (2) a gzip file.

Why this priority

High severity
Public exploit reference

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.5 (High)
EPSS exploit chance	2.4% (top 16%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2003-11-17
Last modified	2026-06-16

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

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2003-11-17 05:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 21:59 UTCUpdated Record last modified

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.

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-2002-1569?

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-2002-1569 being exploited?

CVE-2002-1569 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-2002-1569 affect?

CVE-2002-1569 affects ghostview, gv. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). gv 3.5.8, and possibly earlier versions, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in the filename for (1) a PDF file or (2) a gzip file.

How urgent is CVE-2002-1569?

Priority 52/100. High severity; Public exploit reference

Related CVEs

CVE-2002-0838 MEDIUM 4.6 DOWNGRADE DOWNGRADE 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

References

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