CVE-2005-2536: pstotext before 1.8g does not properly use the "-dSAFER" option when calling Ghostscript to extract plain text

Q: How do I fix CVE-2005-2536?

pstotext: upgrade to newer than 1.9.1. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2005-2536 being exploited?

CVE-2005-2536 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2005-2536 affect?

CVE-2005-2536 affects pstotext. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). pstotext before 1.8g does not properly use the "-dSAFER" option when calling Ghostscript to extract plain text from PostScript and PDF files, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via a malicious PostScript file.

This month

HIGH 7.5UPGRADE

CVE-2005-2536 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) affecting pstotext. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

pstotext before 1.8g does not properly use the "-dSAFER" option when calling Ghostscript to extract plain text from PostScript and PDF files, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via a malicious PostScript file.

Why this priority

High severity

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.5 (High)
EPSS exploit chance	2.3% (top 16%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2005-08-10
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: pstotext

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2005-08-10 04:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:15 UTCUpdated Record last modified

pstotext pstotext UPGRADE

Affected: <= 1.9.1

Fixed in: newer than 1.9.1

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to newer than 1.9.1 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade pstotext

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade pstotext

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

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-2005-2536?

pstotext: upgrade to newer than 1.9.1. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2005-2536 being exploited?

CVE-2005-2536 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-2005-2536 affect?

CVE-2005-2536 affects pstotext. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). pstotext before 1.8g does not properly use the "-dSAFER" option when calling Ghostscript to extract plain text from PostScript and PDF files, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via a malicious PostScript file.

How urgent is CVE-2005-2536?

Priority 47/100. High severity

Software pages

Ghostscript vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2006-5869 MEDIUM 5.1 DOWNGRADE pstotext before 1.9 allows user-assisted attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in a

References

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