CVE-2017-8291

Name: CVE-2017-8291
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2017-04-27T01:59:02.057+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

HIGHCVSS 7.8/10Actively ExploitedEPSS 96.97%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2017-8291 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 7.8/10 on the CVSS scale. 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.. CISA has confirmed active exploitation in the wild. EPSS estimates a 96.97% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

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.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

7.8/10

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

EPSS Probability

96.97%

99.9th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Exploitation Status

This vulnerability is listed in CISA’s Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, confirming active exploitation in the wild. Federal agencies must remediate by Jun 14, 2022.

Weakness Enumeration

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Artifex	Ghostscript	< 9.21
Debian	Debian Linux	8.0
Redhat	Enterprise Linux Desktop	6.0
Redhat	Enterprise Linux Desktop	7.0
Redhat	Enterprise Linux Eus	7.3
Redhat	Enterprise Linux Eus	7.4
Redhat	Enterprise Linux Eus	7.5
Redhat	Enterprise Linux Eus	7.6
Redhat	Enterprise Linux Eus	7.7
Redhat	Enterprise Linux Server	6.0
Redhat	Enterprise Linux Server	7.0
Redhat	Enterprise Linux Server Aus	7.3
Redhat	Enterprise Linux Server Aus	7.4
Redhat	Enterprise Linux Server Aus	7.6
Redhat	Enterprise Linux Server Aus	7.7
Redhat	Enterprise Linux Server Tus	7.3
Redhat	Enterprise Linux Server Tus	7.6
Redhat	Enterprise Linux Server Tus	7.7
Redhat	Enterprise Linux Workstation	6.0
Redhat	Enterprise Linux Workstation	7.0

References

http://openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2017/04/28/2Mailing List, Patch, Third Party Advisory
http://www.debian.org/security/2017/dsa-3838Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/98476Broken Link, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:1230Third Party Advisory
https://bugs.ghostscript.com/show_bug.cgi?id=697808Issue Tracking, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1446063Issue Tracking, Patch, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://bugzilla.suse.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1036453Exploit, Issue Tracking, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://git.ghostscript.com/?p=ghostpdl.git%3Ba=commit%3Bh=04b37bbce174eed24edec7ad5b920eb93db4d47dBroken Link
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201708-06Third Party Advisory
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/41955/Exploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2017/04/28/2Mailing List, Patch, Third Party Advisory
http://www.debian.org/security/2017/dsa-3838Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/98476Broken Link, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:1230Third Party Advisory
https://bugs.ghostscript.com/show_bug.cgi?id=697808Issue Tracking, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1446063Issue Tracking, Patch, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://bugzilla.suse.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1036453Exploit, Issue Tracking, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://git.ghostscript.com/?p=ghostpdl.git%3Ba=commit%3Bh=04b37bbce174eed24edec7ad5b920eb93db4d47dBroken Link
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201708-06Third Party Advisory
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/41955/Exploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2017-8291US Government Resource

Timeline

Published: Apr 27, 2017
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Analyzed

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2017-8291?

How severe is CVE-2017-8291?

CVE-2017-8291 has a CVSS score of 7.8/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 96.97% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. This vulnerability is listed in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.

How do I fix CVE-2017-8291?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

Are you affected by CVE-2017-8291?

Run a free Strix scan to check your systems for this vulnerability.

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Source: NVD / NIST