CVE-2020-16303

Name: CVE-2020-16303
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2020-08-13T03:15:13.96+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

HIGHCVSS 7.8/10EPSS 1.79%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2020-16303 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 7.8/10 on the CVSS scale. A use-after-free vulnerability in xps_finish_image_path() in devices/vector/gdevxps.c of Artifex Software GhostScript v9.50 allows a remote attacker to escalate privileges via a crafted PDF file. This is fixed in v9.51.. EPSS estimates a 1.79% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

A use-after-free vulnerability in xps_finish_image_path() in devices/vector/gdevxps.c of Artifex Software GhostScript v9.50 allows a remote attacker to escalate privileges via a crafted PDF file. This is fixed in v9.51.

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

1.79%

75.6th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-416

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Artifex	Ghostscript	9.50
Debian	Debian Linux	9.0
Debian	Debian Linux	10.0
Canonical	Ubuntu Linux	16.04
Canonical	Ubuntu Linux	18.04
Canonical	Ubuntu Linux	20.04

References

https://bugs.ghostscript.com/show_bug.cgi?id=701818Exploit, Issue Tracking, Vendor Advisory
https://git.ghostscript.com/?p=ghostpdl.git%3Ba=commitdiff%3Bh=94d8955cb77
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2020/08/msg00032.htmlMailing List, Third Party Advisory
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202008-20Third Party Advisory
https://usn.ubuntu.com/4469-1/Third Party Advisory
https://www.debian.org/security/2020/dsa-4748Third Party Advisory
https://bugs.ghostscript.com/show_bug.cgi?id=701818Exploit, Issue Tracking, Vendor Advisory
https://git.ghostscript.com/?p=ghostpdl.git%3Ba=commitdiff%3Bh=94d8955cb77
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2020/08/msg00032.htmlMailing List, Third Party Advisory
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202008-20Third Party Advisory
https://usn.ubuntu.com/4469-1/Third Party Advisory
https://www.debian.org/security/2020/dsa-4748Third Party Advisory

Timeline

Published: Aug 13, 2020
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2020-16303?

How severe is CVE-2020-16303?

CVE-2020-16303 has a CVSS score of 7.8/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 1.79% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2020-16303?

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-2020-16303?

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

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST