CVE-2021-45949: Ghostscript GhostPDL 9.50 through 9.54.0 has a heap-based buffer overflow in sampled_data_finish (called from

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MEDIUM 5.5WATCHLISTUPGRADEMITIGATE

CVE-2021-45949 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.5) affecting ghostscript, debian linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Ghostscript GhostPDL 9.50 through 9.54.0 has a heap-based buffer overflow in sampled_data_finish (called from sampled_data_continue and interp).

Why this priority

Public exploit reference
On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.5 (Medium)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	Required
EPSS exploit chance	1.7% (top 22%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-787, CWE-122
Published	2022-01-01
Last modified	2026-10-08

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: artifex · debian

Last updated 2026-10-08 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2022-01-01 00:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-10-08 01:16 UTCUpdated Record last modified

artifex ghostscript UPGRADE

Affected: >= 9.50 and <= 9.54.0

Fixed in: newer than 9.54.0

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 9.50

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to newer than 9.54.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

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

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade ghostscript

Note

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

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE to a release before 9.50 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison ghostscript sudo apt install ghostscript=<VERSION_BEFORE_9.50> sudo apt-mark hold ghostscript

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list ghostscript sudo dnf downgrade ghostscript-<VERSION_BEFORE_9.50> sudo dnf versionlock add ghostscript

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.

debian debian linux MITIGATE

Affected: 9.0 · 10.0 · 11.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 9.0

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

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-2021-45949?

ghostscript: upgrade to newer than 9.54.0; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2021-45949 being exploited?

CVE-2021-45949 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-2021-45949 affect?

CVE-2021-45949 affects ghostscript, debian linux. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.5). Ghostscript GhostPDL 9.50 through 9.54.0 has a heap-based buffer overflow in sampled_data_finish (called from sampled_data_continue and interp).

How urgent is CVE-2021-45949?

Priority 49/100. Public exploit reference; On your watchlist

Software pages

Debian vulnerabilities · Ghostscript vulnerabilities

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References

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