CVE-2025-27831 is a critical security vulnerability identified in Artifex Ghostscript, a widely used interpreter for PostScript and PDF files. The flaw exists in the DOCXWRITE TXTWRITE device implementation within the devices/vector/doc_common.c source file, where a text buffer overflow can be triggered by processing excessively long character sequences. This buffer overflow (classified under CWE-120) can lead to arbitrary code execution, allowing attackers to compromise the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of affected systems. The vulnerability requires no authentication or user interaction and can be exploited remotely, as indicated by the CVSS vector (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N). The vulnerability affects all versions prior to 10.05.0, although specific affected versions are not enumerated. Despite no known exploits currently in the wild, the high CVSS score of 9.8 underscores the critical nature of this issue. Ghostscript is commonly integrated into document processing pipelines, print servers, and PDF rendering services, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments that process untrusted documents. Exploitation could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code, potentially leading to full system compromise, data theft, or disruption of services. The root cause is improper handling of input length in the text buffer, which can be mitigated by bounds checking and secure coding practices. The vulnerability was reserved on March 7, 2025, and published on March 25, 2025, with no patches linked at the time of reporting, indicating the need for immediate attention from users and vendors.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-27831 is substantial due to the widespread use of Ghostscript in document processing, printing services, and PDF rendering across multiple sectors including government, finance, healthcare, and critical infrastructure. Successful exploitation could lead to remote code execution, allowing attackers to gain unauthorized access, exfiltrate sensitive data, disrupt operations, or deploy ransomware. The vulnerability’s ability to be exploited without authentication or user interaction increases the risk of automated attacks and wormable propagation. Organizations relying on legacy or unpatched Ghostscript installations are particularly vulnerable. The compromise of document processing servers could also serve as a pivot point for lateral movement within networks, amplifying the potential damage. Given the criticality of document workflows in European enterprises and public institutions, this vulnerability poses a severe threat to operational continuity and data security.

1. Immediately upgrade all Ghostscript installations to version 10.05.0 or later once available, as this version addresses the buffer overflow issue. 2. Until patches are applied, restrict access to Ghostscript services by implementing network segmentation and firewall rules to limit exposure to untrusted networks. 3. Employ input validation and sanitization on documents processed by Ghostscript to detect and block suspiciously long character sequences that could trigger the overflow. 4. Utilize application sandboxing and least privilege execution environments for Ghostscript processes to contain potential exploitation impact. 5. Monitor logs and network traffic for anomalous activity indicative of exploitation attempts, such as unexpected process behavior or unusual document inputs. 6. Coordinate with vendors and security teams to prioritize patch deployment and conduct thorough testing in staging environments before production rollout. 7. Educate staff about the risks associated with processing untrusted documents and enforce strict document handling policies.