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CVE-2008-3863

7.6 · HIGH

Stack-based buffer overflow in the read_special_escape function in src/psgen.c in GNU Enscript 1.6.1 and 1.6.4 beta, when the -e (aka special escapes processing) option is enabled, allows user-assi…

Published Oct 23, 2008gnuCWE-119EPSS 8.36%

Overview

CVE-2008-3863 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting gnu enscript. It was published on October 23, 2008 and has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 7.6 (HIGH).

This vulnerability has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 7.6, rated HIGH. It can be exploited remotely over the network. No authentication or special privileges are required for exploitation.

Technical description

Stack-based buffer overflow in the read_special_escape function in src/psgen.c in GNU Enscript 1.6.1 and 1.6.4 beta, when the -e (aka special escapes processing) option is enabled, allows user-assisted remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted ASCII file, related to the setfilename command.

Remediation

Check the references section for vendor advisories and patches from gnu. Update enscript to the latest patched version. If immediate patching is not possible, review the CVSS vector to understand the attack surface and apply compensating controls such as network segmentation or access restrictions.

Affected products

VendorProductVersionsStatus

References

Reflists.apple.com/archives/security-announce/2009/May/msg00002.htmlReflists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2008-11/msg00000.htmlRefrhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2008-1021.htmlRefsecunia.com/advisories/32137Refsecunia.com/advisories/32521Refsecunia.com/advisories/32530Refsecunia.com/advisories/32753Refsecunia.com/advisories/32854Refsecunia.com/advisories/32970Refsecunia.com/advisories/33109

How CyberStrike helps

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2008-3863?

CVE-2008-3863 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting gnu enscript. It was published on October 23, 2008 and has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 7.6 (HIGH).

How severe is CVE-2008-3863?

This vulnerability has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 7.6, rated HIGH. It can be exploited remotely over the network. No authentication or special privileges are required for exploitation.

How do I fix or remediate CVE-2008-3863?

Check the references section for vendor advisories and patches from gnu. Update enscript to the latest patched version. If immediate patching is not possible, review the CVSS vector to understand the attack surface and apply compensating controls such as network segmentation or access restrictions.

How can CyberStrike help with CVE-2008-3863?

CyberStrike is an open-source, AI-augmented pentesting engine. Rather than flag a version number, it tests whether an issue like CVE-2008-3863 is actually reachable in your own applications and APIs, then verifies each finding before reporting it. That tells you if the weakness is a real, exploitable risk in your environment or a false positive you can safely deprioritize.

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