CVE-2018-17407

Name: CVE-2018-17407
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2018-09-23T21:29:00.28+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

UnknownEPSS 2.06%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2018-17407 is a vulnerability of currently unknown severity. An issue was discovered in t1_check_unusual_charstring functions in writet1.c files in TeX Live before 2018-09-21. A buffer overflow in the handling of Type 1 fonts allows arbitrary code execution when a malicious font is loaded by one of the vulnerable tools: pdflatex, pdftex, dvips, or luatex.. EPSS estimates a 2.06% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

An issue was discovered in t1_check_unusual_charstring functions in writet1.c files in TeX Live before 2018-09-21. A buffer overflow in the handling of Type 1 fonts allows arbitrary code execution when a malicious font is loaded by one of the vulnerable tools: pdflatex, pdftex, dvips, or luatex.

Metrics

EPSS Probability

2.06%

78.9th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-119

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Tug	Tex Live	< 2018-09-21
Canonical	Ubuntu Linux	14.04
Canonical	Ubuntu Linux	16.04
Canonical	Ubuntu Linux	18.04
Canonical	Ubuntu Linux	18.10
Debian	Debian Linux	8.0
Debian	Debian Linux	9.0

References

https://github.com/TeX-Live/texlive-source/commit/6ed0077520e2b0da1fd060c7f88db7b2e6068e4cPatch, Third Party Advisory
https://lists.debian.org/debian-security-announce/2018/msg00230.htmlMailing List, Third Party Advisory
https://usn.ubuntu.com/3788-1/Third Party Advisory
https://usn.ubuntu.com/3788-2/Third Party Advisory
https://www.debian.org/security/2018/dsa-4299Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/TeX-Live/texlive-source/commit/6ed0077520e2b0da1fd060c7f88db7b2e6068e4cPatch, Third Party Advisory
https://lists.debian.org/debian-security-announce/2018/msg00230.htmlMailing List, Third Party Advisory
https://usn.ubuntu.com/3788-1/Third Party Advisory
https://usn.ubuntu.com/3788-2/Third Party Advisory
https://www.debian.org/security/2018/dsa-4299Third Party Advisory

Timeline

Published: Sep 23, 2018
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2018-17407?

How severe is CVE-2018-17407?

Severity scoring for CVE-2018-17407 is pending analysis. The EPSS model estimates a 2.06% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2018-17407?

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-2018-17407?

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

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST