CVE-2018-17407: Buffer Overflow

Published Sep 21, 2018
·
Updated

An issue was discovered in t1checkunusualcharstring functions in writet1.c files in TeX Live before 2018-09-21. A buffer overflow in the handling of Type 1 fonts allows arbitrary code execution when a malicious font is loaded by one of the vulnerable tools: pdflatex, pdftex, dvips, or luatex.

Affected Software

8 affected componentsFixes available
Tug Tex Live<2018-09-21
Canonical Ubuntu Linux=14.04
Canonical Ubuntu Linux=16.04
Canonical Ubuntu Linux=18.04
Canonical Ubuntu Linux=18.10
Debian Debian Linux=8.0
Debian Debian Linux=9.0
debian/texlive-bin
2020.20200327.54578-7+deb11u12020.20200327.54578-7+deb11u22022.20220321.62855-5.1+deb12u22024.20240313.70630+ds-62025.20250727.75242+ds-5

Event History

Sep 21, 2018
Data Sourced
02:51 PM
SeverityAffected Software
Sep 23, 2018
CVE Published
via MITRE·09:00 PM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·09:00 PM
Description
Data Sourced
via NVD·09:29 PM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software
Jan 11, 2024
Data Sourced
via Launchpad·10:54 PM
Description
Feb 18, 2026
Data Sourced
via Ubuntu·11:09 PM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityAffected Software
Data Sourced
via Debian·11:09 PM
DescriptionAffected Software
Free Weekly Intel

Don't miss critical vulnerabilities

Join thousands of security professionals who receive our weekly digest of trending CVEs, zero-days, and exploited vulnerabilities.

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is CVE-2018-17407?

CVE-2018-17407 is a vulnerability in TeX Live that allows arbitrary code execution when a malicious font is loaded by vulnerable tools.

2

Which software is affected by CVE-2018-17407?

PDFlatex, PDFTeX, DVIPS, and LuaTeX are affected by CVE-2018-17407.

3

What is the severity of CVE-2018-17407?

The severity of CVE-2018-17407 is high with a CVSS score of 7.8.

4

How can I fix CVE-2018-17407 in TeX Live?

To fix CVE-2018-17407 in TeX Live, update to versions 2018.20181218.49446-1 or later.

5

Are there any references for CVE-2018-17407?

Yes, you can find more information about CVE-2018-17407 at the following references: [1], [2], [3].

Contact

SecAlerts Pty Ltd.
132 Wickham Terrace
Fortitude Valley,
QLD 4006, Australia
info@secalerts.co
By using SecAlerts services, you agree to our services end-user license agreement. This website is safeguarded by reCAPTCHA and governed by the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. All names, logos, and brands of products are owned by their respective owners, and any usage of these names, logos, and brands for identification purposes only does not imply endorsement. If you possess any content that requires removal, please get in touch with us.
© 2026 SecAlerts Pty Ltd.
ABN: 70 645 966 203, ACN: 645 966 203