CVE-2002-0838

gv 3.5.8 - Buffer Overflow via Malformed PDF or PostScript File

Title source: llm
STIX 2.1

Exploitation Summary

EIP tracks 2 public exploits for CVE-2002-0838. PoCs published by infamous42md, zen-parse.

AI-analyzed exploit summary This exploit leverages a buffer overflow in gv's handling of the %%PageOrder field via an insecure sscanf() function. It generates a malicious PostScript file that, when opened, executes shellcode to spawn a remote shell on port 7000.

Description

Buffer overflow in (1) gv 3.5.8 and earlier, (2) gvv 1.0.2 and earlier, (3) ggv 1.99.90 and earlier, (4) gnome-gv, and (5) kghostview in kdegraphics 2.2.2 and earlier, allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via a malformed (a) PDF or (b) PostScript file, which is processed by an unsafe call to sscanf.

Exploits (2)

exploitdb WORKING POC VERIFIED
by infamous42md · clocallinux
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/21872

This exploit leverages a buffer overflow in gv's handling of the %%PageOrder field via an insecure sscanf() function. It generates a malicious PostScript file that, when opened, executes shellcode to spawn a remote shell on port 7000.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: gv (PostScript/PDF viewer)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Ability to deliver malicious PostScript file to target · Target must open the file with vulnerable gv version
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
exploitdb WORKING POC VERIFIED
by zen-parse · clocallinux
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/21871

This exploit targets a buffer overflow vulnerability in gv <= 3.5.8 via a maliciously crafted %%PageOrder field in a PDF/PS file. It uses a bind shell shellcode to execute arbitrary code in the context of the user opening the file.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: gv <= 3.5.8
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Victim must open the malicious PDF/PS file with gv
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →

References (18)

Core 18
Core References
Third Party Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_debian
http://www.debian.org/security/2002/dsa-179
Vendor Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_mandrake
http://www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDKSA-2002:069
Various Sources x_refsource_confirm
http://www.kde.org/info/security/advisory-20021008-1.txt
Various Sources vendor-advisory x_refsource_caldera
ftp://ftp.caldera.com/pub/security/OpenLinux/CSSA-2002-053.0.txt
Third Party Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_debian
http://www.debian.org/security/2002/dsa-182
Vendor Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_conectiva
http://distro.conectiva.com.br/atualizacoes/?id=a&anuncio=000542
Mailing List mailing-list x_refsource_bugtraq
http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=103305615613319&w=2
Vendor Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_mandrake
http://www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDKSA-2002:071
Exploit, Patch, Vendor Advisory vdb-entry x_refsource_bid
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/5808
Third Party Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_debian
http://www.debian.org/security/2002/dsa-176
Vendor Advisory vdb-entry x_refsource_xf
http://www.iss.net/security_center/static/10201.php
Patch, Vendor Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_redhat
http://www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2002-212.html
Vendor Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_redhat
http://www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2002-220.html
Vendor Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_redhat
http://www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2002-207.html
Third Party Advisory, US Government Resource third-party-advisory x_refsource_cert-vn
http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/600777
Mailing List mailing-list x_refsource_bugtraq
http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=103487806800388&w=2
Mailing List mailing-list x_refsource_bugtraq
http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=103305778615625&w=2

Scores

EPSS 0.0203
EPSS Percentile 78.5%

Details

Status published
Products (23)
ggv/ggv 1.0.2
ghostview/ghostview 1.3
ghostview/ghostview 1.4
ghostview/ghostview 1.4.1
ghostview/ghostview 1.5
gv/gv 2.7.6
gv/gv 2.7b1
gv/gv 2.7b2
gv/gv 2.7b3
gv/gv 2.7b4
... and 13 more
Published Oct 10, 2002
Tracked Since Feb 18, 2026