CVE-2024-46952 identifies a critical buffer overflow vulnerability in the pdf_xref.c source file of Artifex Ghostscript, a widely used interpreter for PostScript and PDF files. The vulnerability arises from improper handling of the PDF cross-reference (XRef) stream, particularly the W array values that define the size of fields in the XRef stream entries. When processing crafted PDF files, the vulnerable code can write beyond allocated buffers, leading to memory corruption. This flaw is classified under CWE-120 (Classic Buffer Overflow) and affects all Ghostscript versions prior to 10.04.0. The vulnerability can be triggered without any privileges or user interaction, making it remotely exploitable by simply processing a malicious PDF file. The impact includes potential arbitrary code execution, allowing attackers to execute code with the privileges of the Ghostscript process, or cause denial of service by crashing the application. Although no public exploits have been reported yet, the high CVSS score of 8.4 reflects the ease of exploitation and severe consequences. Ghostscript is commonly embedded in many document processing workflows, print servers, and PDF rendering services, increasing the attack surface. The lack of an official patch at the time of disclosure necessitates immediate risk mitigation through access controls and monitoring.

The vulnerability poses a significant threat to organizations relying on Ghostscript for PDF processing, including print servers, document management systems, and web services that convert or render PDFs. Successful exploitation can lead to remote code execution, allowing attackers to take control of affected systems, steal sensitive data, or disrupt services. The buffer overflow can also cause application crashes, resulting in denial of service. Given Ghostscript's widespread use in enterprise, government, and cloud environments, the impact can be broad and severe. Attackers could leverage this flaw to pivot within networks, escalate privileges, or implant persistent malware. The absence of required privileges or user interaction lowers the barrier for exploitation, increasing risk. Industries handling large volumes of PDF documents, such as finance, healthcare, legal, and publishing, are particularly vulnerable. The vulnerability also threatens supply chain security where Ghostscript is embedded in third-party products.

Until an official patch is released, organizations should implement strict access controls to limit which users and systems can invoke Ghostscript, especially on internet-facing services. Employ sandboxing or containerization to isolate Ghostscript processes and minimize potential damage from exploitation. Monitor logs and network traffic for anomalous PDF processing activities or crashes indicative of exploitation attempts. Disable or restrict automatic processing of untrusted PDF files where possible. Use application-layer firewalls or intrusion prevention systems with signatures targeting malformed PDF files exploiting XRef streams. Keep all related software and dependencies up to date and subscribe to vendor advisories for timely patch deployment. Conduct internal audits to identify all instances of Ghostscript usage and prioritize remediation efforts accordingly. Consider deploying runtime application self-protection (RASP) tools to detect and block buffer overflow attempts in real time.