CVE-2008-3863
Stack-based buffer overflow in the read_special_escape function in src/psgen.c in GNU Enscript 1...
CVE-2008-3863 is a high vulnerability (CVSS 7.6) in Gnu Enscript, published October 23, 2008. No source lists public exploit code. EPSS puts the chance of exploitation in the next 30 days at 8.36%, the 95th percentile. Fixed in enscript 1.6.4-13.
- Severity
- 7.6 HighCVSS 2.0, NVD
- Exploit chance
- 8.36%EPSS, 95th percentile
- Exploitation
- None knownNot on CISA’s or ENISA’s lists
- Fixed in
1.6.4-13enscript +28 more
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.
Exploit likelihood
Affected products
Affected packages
| Package | Affected | Fixed |
|---|---|---|
enscriptDebian:12 | before 1.6.4-13 | 1.6.4-13 |
enscriptDebian:13 | before 1.6.4-13 | 1.6.4-13 |
enscriptDebian:14 | before 1.6.4-13 | 1.6.4-13 |
enscriptDebian:4.0 From an advisory covering 3 CVEs | before 1.6.4-11.1, plus listed versions 1.6.4-11 | 1.6.4-11.1 |
enscriptRed Hat:enterprise_linux:5::client From an advisory covering 2 CVEs | before 0:1.6.4-4.1.1.el5_2 | 0:1.6.4-4.1.1.el5_2 |
enscript-debuginfoRed Hat:enterprise_linux:5::client From an advisory covering 2 CVEs | before 0:1.6.4-4.1.1.el5_2 | 0:1.6.4-4.1.1.el5_2 |
enscriptRed Hat:enterprise_linux:5::server From an advisory covering 2 CVEs | before 0:1.6.4-4.1.1.el5_2 | 0:1.6.4-4.1.1.el5_2 |
enscript-debuginfoRed Hat:enterprise_linux:5::server From an advisory covering 2 CVEs | before 0:1.6.4-4.1.1.el5_2 | 0:1.6.4-4.1.1.el5_2 |
enscriptRed Hat:enterprise_linux:2.1::as From an advisory covering 3 CVEs | before 0:1.6.1-16.7 | 0:1.6.1-16.7 |
enscriptRed Hat:enterprise_linux:2.1::aw From an advisory covering 3 CVEs | before 0:1.6.1-16.7 | 0:1.6.1-16.7 |
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| Package | Affected | Fixed |
|---|---|---|
enscriptRed Hat:enterprise_linux:2.1::es From an advisory covering 3 CVEs | before 0:1.6.1-16.7 | 0:1.6.1-16.7 |
enscriptRed Hat:enterprise_linux:2.1::ws From an advisory covering 3 CVEs | before 0:1.6.1-16.7 | 0:1.6.1-16.7 |
enscriptRed Hat:enterprise_linux:3::as From an advisory covering 3 CVEs | before 0:1.6.1-24.7 | 0:1.6.1-24.7 |
enscript-debuginfoRed Hat:enterprise_linux:3::as From an advisory covering 3 CVEs | before 0:1.6.1-24.7 | 0:1.6.1-24.7 |
enscriptRed Hat:enterprise_linux:3::desktop From an advisory covering 3 CVEs | before 0:1.6.1-24.7 | 0:1.6.1-24.7 |
enscript-debuginfoRed Hat:enterprise_linux:3::desktop From an advisory covering 3 CVEs | before 0:1.6.1-24.7 | 0:1.6.1-24.7 |
enscriptRed Hat:enterprise_linux:3::es From an advisory covering 3 CVEs | before 0:1.6.1-24.7 | 0:1.6.1-24.7 |
enscript-debuginfoRed Hat:enterprise_linux:3::es From an advisory covering 3 CVEs | before 0:1.6.1-24.7 | 0:1.6.1-24.7 |
enscriptRed Hat:enterprise_linux:3::ws From an advisory covering 3 CVEs | before 0:1.6.1-24.7 | 0:1.6.1-24.7 |
enscript-debuginfoRed Hat:enterprise_linux:3::ws From an advisory covering 3 CVEs | before 0:1.6.1-24.7 | 0:1.6.1-24.7 |
enscriptRed Hat:enterprise_linux:4::as From an advisory covering 3 CVEs | before 0:1.6.1-33.el4_7.1 | 0:1.6.1-33.el4_7.1 |
enscript-debuginfoRed Hat:enterprise_linux:4::as From an advisory covering 3 CVEs | before 0:1.6.1-33.el4_7.1 | 0:1.6.1-33.el4_7.1 |
enscriptRed Hat:enterprise_linux:4::desktop From an advisory covering 3 CVEs | before 0:1.6.1-33.el4_7.1 | 0:1.6.1-33.el4_7.1 |
enscript-debuginfoRed Hat:enterprise_linux:4::desktop From an advisory covering 3 CVEs | before 0:1.6.1-33.el4_7.1 | 0:1.6.1-33.el4_7.1 |
enscriptRed Hat:enterprise_linux:4::es From an advisory covering 3 CVEs | before 0:1.6.1-33.el4_7.1 | 0:1.6.1-33.el4_7.1 |
enscript-debuginfoRed Hat:enterprise_linux:4::es From an advisory covering 3 CVEs | before 0:1.6.1-33.el4_7.1 | 0:1.6.1-33.el4_7.1 |
enscriptRed Hat:enterprise_linux:4::ws From an advisory covering 3 CVEs | before 0:1.6.1-33.el4_7.1 | 0:1.6.1-33.el4_7.1 |
enscript-debuginfoRed Hat:enterprise_linux:4::ws From an advisory covering 3 CVEs | before 0:1.6.1-33.el4_7.1 | 0:1.6.1-33.el4_7.1 |
enscriptopenSUSE:Tumbleweed | before 1.6.6-1.15 | 1.6.6-1.15 |
What each source reports
NVD Score used
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.
- Record
CVE-2008-3863- CVSS 2.0
- 7.6 High
AV:N/AC:H/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C - Weakness
- CWE-119
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
CVE ListNo score
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.
- Record
CVE-2008-3863- Updated
- 2026-11-02
EUVDEUVD-2008-3849No score
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.
- Record
EUVD-2008-3849- Updated
- 2026-11-03
GitHub AdvisoriesGHSA-wp92-87r8-55v9No score
Stack-based buffer overflow in the read_special_escape function in src/psgen.c in GNU Enscript 1...
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.
- Record
GHSA-wp92-87r8-55v9- Weakness
- CWE-119
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVNo score
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.
- Record
CVE-2008-3863- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVDEBIAN-CVE-2008-3863No score
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.
- Record
DEBIAN-CVE-2008-3863- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVopenSUSE-SU-2024:10737-1No score
enscript-1.6.6-1.15 on GA media
These are all security issues fixed in the enscript-1.6.6-1.15 package on the GA media of openSUSE Tumbleweed.
- Record
openSUSE-SU-2024:10737-1- Updated
- 2026-11-02
History
| Recorded | Changed | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| affected, facts | ||
| aliases | EUVD | |
| first indexed | CVE List, GitHub Advisories, NVD, OSV |
Dates are when Every CVE recorded each change. Upstream dates may differ.
References
vupen.com/english/advisories/2008/2891
secunia.com/advisories/32137
exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/46026
securityfocus.com/bid/31858
support.apple.com/kb/HT3549
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lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2008-11/msg00000.html
redhat.com/archives/fedora-package-announce/2008-November/msg00040.html
oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A9939
support.avaya.com/elmodocs2/security/ASA-2008-504.htm
ubuntu.com/usn/usn-660-1
wiki.rpath.com/wiki/Advisories:rPSA-2008-0321
securityreason.com/securityalert/4488
lists.apple.com/archives/security-announce/2009/May/msg00002.html
security.gentoo.org/glsa/glsa-200812-02.xml
issues.rpath.com/browse/RPL-2887
mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDVSA-2008:243
debian.org/security/2008/dsa-1670
us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA09-133A.html
rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2008-1021.html
nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2008-3863
github.com/advisories/GHSA-wp92-87r8-55v9
security-tracker.debian.org/tracker/CVE-2008-3863
access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2008:1016
bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=466771
security.access.redhat.com/data/csaf/v2/advisories/2008/rhsa-2008_1016.json
cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2008-3863
suse.com/security/cve/CVE-2008-3863