CVE-2024-46478: HTMLDOC v1.9.18 contains a buffer overflow in parse_pre function,ps-pdf.cxx:5681.

This week

CRITICAL 9.8REMOTEDOWNGRADE

CVE-2024-46478 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) affecting htmldoc. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

HTMLDOC v1.9.18 contains a buffer overflow in parse_pre function,ps-pdf.cxx:5681.

Why this priority

Critical severity
Public exploit reference
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	9.8 (Critical)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.7% (top 48%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-120
Published	2024-10-24
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: htmldoc project

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2024-10-24 18:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 07:55 UTCUpdated Record last modified

htmldoc project htmldoc DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.9.18

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.9.18

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.9.18 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison htmldoc sudo apt install htmldoc=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.9.18> sudo apt-mark hold htmldoc

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

dnf --showduplicates list htmldoc sudo dnf downgrade htmldoc-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.9.18> sudo dnf versionlock add htmldoc

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-2024-46478?

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

Is CVE-2024-46478 being exploited?

CVE-2024-46478 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-2024-46478 affect?

CVE-2024-46478 affects htmldoc. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). HTMLDOC v1.9.18 contains a buffer overflow in parse_pre function,ps-pdf.cxx:5681.

How urgent is CVE-2024-46478?

Priority 57/100. Critical severity; Public exploit reference; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

Related CVEs

CVE-2024-45508 CRITICAL 9.8 UPGRADE HTMLDOC before 1.9.19 has an out-of-bounds write in parse_paragraph in ps-pdf.cxx because of an attempt to str

References

← Back to latest CVEs