How severe is CVE-2020-21890?

CVE-2020-21890 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2020-21890 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (49th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2020-21890?

CVE-2020-21890 affects Artifex Ghostscript. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2020-21890?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2020-21890 published?

CVE-2020-21890 was published on 2023-08-22 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2020-21890

CVE-2020-21890 is a high-severity vulnerability in Artifex Ghostscript with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-787.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.8)
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (49th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-787
Affected product: Artifex Ghostscript
Published: 2023-08-22
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

Buffer Overflow vulnerability in clj_media_size function in devices/gdevclj.c in Artifex Ghostscript 9.50 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service or other unspecified impact(s) via opening of crafted PDF document.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2020-21890?: Buffer Overflow vulnerability in clj_media_size function in devices/gdevclj.c in Artifex Ghostscript 9.50 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service or other unspecified impact(s) via opening of crafted PDF document.
How severe is CVE-2020-21890?: CVE-2020-21890 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2020-21890 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (49th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2020-21890?: CVE-2020-21890 affects Artifex Ghostscript. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2020-21890?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2020-21890 published?: CVE-2020-21890 was published on 2023-08-22 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:artifex:ghostscript:9.50:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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