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

Routine

MEDIUM 5.1DOWNGRADE

CVE-2006-5869 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.1) affecting pstotext. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

pstotext before 1.9 allows user-assisted attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in a file name.

Why this priority

No elevated risk signals yet

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.1 (Medium)
EPSS exploit chance	1.6% (top 25%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2006-11-26
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

2006-11-26 22:07 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:32 UTCUpdated Record last modified

pstotext pstotext DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.9

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.9

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.9 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison pstotext sudo apt install pstotext=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.9> sudo apt-mark hold pstotext

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

dnf --showduplicates list pstotext sudo dnf downgrade pstotext-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.9> sudo dnf versionlock add pstotext

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-2006-5869?

pstotext: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2006-5869 being exploited?

CVE-2006-5869 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-2006-5869 affect?

CVE-2006-5869 affects pstotext. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.1). pstotext before 1.9 allows user-assisted attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in a file name.

How urgent is CVE-2006-5869?

Priority 37/100. No elevated risk signals yet.

Related CVEs

CVE-2005-2536 HIGH 7.5 UPGRADE pstotext before 1.8g does not properly use the "-dSAFER" option when calling Ghostscript to extract plain text

References

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