CVE-2023-38559: A buffer overflow flaw was found in base/gdevdevn.c:1973 in devn_pcx_write_rle() in ghostscript

Q: How do I fix CVE-2023-38559?

ghostscript: upgrade to 10.02.0; enterprise linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; fedora: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2023-38559 being exploited?

CVE-2023-38559 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-2023-38559 affect?

CVE-2023-38559 affects ghostscript, enterprise linux, fedora. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.5). A buffer overflow flaw was found in base/gdevdevn.c:1973 in devn_pcx_write_rle() in ghostscript. This issue may allow a local attacker to cause a denial of service via outputting a crafted PDF file for a DEVN device with gs.

Q: How urgent is CVE-2023-38559?

Priority 34/100. On your watchlist

Routine

MEDIUM 5.5WATCHLISTUPGRADEMITIGATEMITIGATE

CVE-2023-38559 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.5) affecting ghostscript, enterprise linux, fedora. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

A buffer overflow flaw was found in base/gdevdevn.c:1973 in devn_pcx_write_rle() in ghostscript. This issue may allow a local attacker to cause a denial of service via outputting a crafted PDF file for a DEVN device with gs.

Why this priority

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	0.4% (top 62%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-125, CWE-120
Published	2023-08-01
Last modified	2026-06-23

Publisher (CNA): Red Hat, Inc. · Vendor: artifex · debian · fedoraproject · redhat

Last updated 2026-06-23 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2023-08-01 17:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-23 18:17 UTCUpdated Record last modified

artifex ghostscript UPGRADE

Affected: < 10.02.0

Fixed in: 10.02.0

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to 10.02.0 (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.

redhat enterprise linux MITIGATE

Affected: 8.0 · 9.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 8.0

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.

fedoraproject fedora MITIGATE

Affected: 37 · 38

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 37

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.

debian debian linux MITIGATE

Affected: 10.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 10.0

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-2023-38559?

ghostscript: upgrade to 10.02.0; enterprise linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; fedora: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2023-38559 being exploited?

CVE-2023-38559 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-2023-38559 affect?

CVE-2023-38559 affects ghostscript, enterprise linux, fedora. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.5). A buffer overflow flaw was found in base/gdevdevn.c:1973 in devn_pcx_write_rle() in ghostscript. This issue may allow a local attacker to cause a denial of service via outputting a crafted PDF file for a DEVN device with gs.

How urgent is CVE-2023-38559?

Priority 34/100. On your watchlist

Software pages

Debian vulnerabilities · Ghostscript vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

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References

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