CVE-2025-27832 is a critical security vulnerability identified in Artifex Ghostscript, a widely used interpreter for PostScript and PDF files. The vulnerability exists in the NPDL device implementation, specifically in the compression buffer handling code located in contrib/japanese/gdevnpdl.c. This is a classic buffer overflow (CWE-120) where the compression buffer can be overflowed due to improper bounds checking, allowing an attacker to overwrite memory. The flaw affects all versions of Ghostscript prior to 10.05.0. Exploitation requires no privileges (PR:N), no user interaction (UI:N), and can be triggered remotely over the network (AV:N), making it highly exploitable. Successful exploitation can lead to arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the Ghostscript process, compromising confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system. The vulnerability has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 9.8, reflecting its critical severity. Despite no known exploits currently in the wild, the nature of the vulnerability and the widespread use of Ghostscript in document processing and printing workflows make it a significant threat. The vulnerability is particularly relevant for environments processing Japanese NPDL print data, as the flaw resides in the Japanese device driver code. No official patches were listed at the time of publication, so mitigation may require workarounds or updates once available.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-27832 can be severe. Ghostscript is commonly used in document management systems, printing services, and PDF processing workflows across various sectors including government, finance, healthcare, and manufacturing. Exploitation could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code remotely, potentially leading to data breaches, system compromise, or disruption of critical document processing operations. Confidentiality is at risk as attackers could access sensitive documents or credentials. Integrity could be compromised by injecting malicious code or altering documents. Availability could be affected by causing service crashes or denial of service. Organizations relying on automated printing or document conversion services that handle Japanese NPDL data are particularly vulnerable. The lack of required authentication or user interaction increases the risk of widespread exploitation. This vulnerability could also be leveraged as a foothold for lateral movement within networks, increasing the overall threat landscape.

European organizations should immediately identify and inventory all systems running vulnerable versions of Artifex Ghostscript, particularly those involved in document processing and printing workflows. Until an official patch is released, consider disabling or restricting the use of the NPDL device or Japanese print data processing if feasible. Employ network segmentation and strict access controls to limit exposure of Ghostscript services to untrusted networks. Monitor logs for unusual activity related to Ghostscript processes. Implement application whitelisting and endpoint protection solutions capable of detecting exploitation attempts. Where possible, update to Ghostscript version 10.05.0 or later once available. Additionally, consider sandboxing Ghostscript processes to contain potential exploitation. Regularly review and apply security advisories from Artifex and related vendors. Finally, educate IT and security teams about the vulnerability and its exploitation vectors to ensure rapid response.