CVE-2017-8291
Artifex Ghostscript through 2017-04-26 allows -dSAFER bypass and remote command execution via .rsdparams type confusion with a "/OutputFile (%pipe%"…
Browse: All 2017 CVEs · All vendors
- CVSS score
- 7.8 High
- CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H- CISA KEV
- Yes — actively exploited (added 2022-05-24, remediation due 2022-06-14)
- Weakness (CWE)
- CWE-843
- Published
- 2017-04-27
- Last modified
- 2026-06-17
- NVD status
- Analyzed
Description
Artifex Ghostscript through 2017-04-26 allows -dSAFER bypass and remote command execution via .rsdparams type confusion with a "/OutputFile (%pipe%" substring in a crafted .eps document that is an input to the gs program, as exploited in the wild in April 2017.
Affected products
- artifex ghostscript
- debian debian linux
- redhat enterprise linux desktop
- redhat enterprise linux eus
- redhat enterprise linux server
- redhat enterprise linux server aus
- redhat enterprise linux server tus
- redhat enterprise linux workstation
Affected ranges per NVD CPE data; confirm exact versions in the vendor advisory.
Required action (CISA)
Apply updates per vendor instructions. Federal remediation deadline: 2022-06-14.
How to prioritize this
This vulnerability is on the CISA KEV list, meaning it is being actively exploited — treat it as urgent regardless of the raw CVSS number. Use the live CVE lookup for the latest NVD data, and the CVSS 3.1 calculator to model your own environmental score. For the actively exploited vulnerabilities that matter this week, read The Exploit HQ daily security brief.
References
- http://openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2017/04/28/2
- http://www.debian.org/security/2017/dsa-3838
- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/98476
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:1230
- https://bugs.ghostscript.com/show_bug.cgi?id=697808
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1446063
- https://bugzilla.suse.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1036453
- https://git.ghostscript.com/?p=ghostpdl.git%3Ba=commit%3Bh=04b37bbce174eed24edec7ad5b920eb93db4d47d
FAQ
Is CVE-2017-8291 actively exploited?
Yes. CISA added CVE-2017-8291 to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog on 2022-05-24, with a federal remediation deadline of 2022-06-14. A KEV listing means real-world exploitation is confirmed, so patching this should be prioritized above many higher-CVSS bugs that aren't being exploited.
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2017-8291?
CVE-2017-8291 has a CVSS base score of 7.8 (High). Its vector string is CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H.
Related vulnerabilities
- CVE-2026-85046 — Google Chromium V8
- CVE-2026-21519 — Microsoft Windows
- CVE-2025-13223 — Google Chromium V8
- CVE-2025-10585 — Google Chromium V8
- CVE-2025-6554 — Google Chromium V8
- CVE-2025-30397 — Microsoft Windows
Data source: NVD & CISA KEV. Shown as-is; nothing added. Last generated from NVD data — re-check the live tool for updates.
kev brief
Patch what's actually being exploited.
Subscribe and get the KEV Patch Priority Playbook, free, in your inbox now.
Free. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. Delivered by Beehiiv.