# CVE-2018-17407: libkpathsea6: An issue was discovered in t1_check_unusual_charstring functions in writet1.c files in TeX Live before 2018-09-21

CVE-2018-17407 is fixed in 6 products on 1 platform, first by libkpathsea6 2017.20170613.44572-8ubuntu0.1, released September 22, 2018. It is not reported as exploited. Patch Radar priority: Routine.

- Web page: https://patchblox.com/security/cve/CVE-2018-17407
- Priority: Routine
- CVSS: n/a (Medium)
- EPSS: 0.0208
- CISA KEV: not listed
- Exploited (vendor report): no
- Publicly disclosed: no
- Published: Sep 22, 2018

## Description

An issue was discovered in t1_check_unusual_charstring 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.

## Where it's fixed

| Platform | Product | Fixed in | Fix | Released |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linux | libkpathsea6 Ubuntu 18.04.6 LTS (bionic) | 2017.20170613.44572-8ubuntu0.1 | [libkpathsea6 2017.20170613.44572-8ubuntu0.1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/ubuntu-bionic-libkpathsea6-2017.20170613.44572-8ubuntu0.1.md) | Sep 22, 2018 |
| Linux | libptexenc1 Ubuntu 18.04.6 LTS (bionic) | 2017.20170613.44572-8ubuntu0.1 | [libptexenc1 2017.20170613.44572-8ubuntu0.1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/ubuntu-bionic-libptexenc1-2017.20170613.44572-8ubuntu0.1.md) | Sep 22, 2018 |
| Linux | libsynctex1 Ubuntu 18.04.6 LTS (bionic) | 2017.20170613.44572-8ubuntu0.1 | [libsynctex1 2017.20170613.44572-8ubuntu0.1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/ubuntu-bionic-libsynctex1-2017.20170613.44572-8ubuntu0.1.md) | Sep 22, 2018 |
| Linux | libtexlua52 Ubuntu 18.04.6 LTS (bionic) | 2017.20170613.44572-8ubuntu0.1 | [libtexlua52 2017.20170613.44572-8ubuntu0.1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/ubuntu-bionic-libtexlua52-2017.20170613.44572-8ubuntu0.1.md) | Sep 22, 2018 |
| Linux | libtexluajit2 Ubuntu 18.04.6 LTS (bionic) | 2017.20170613.44572-8ubuntu0.1 | [libtexluajit2 2017.20170613.44572-8ubuntu0.1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/ubuntu-bionic-libtexluajit2-2017.20170613.44572-8ubuntu0.1.md) | Sep 22, 2018 |
| Linux | texlive-binaries Ubuntu 18.04.6 LTS (bionic) | 2017.20170613.44572-8ubuntu0.1 | [texlive-binaries 2017.20170613.44572-8ubuntu0.1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/ubuntu-bionic-texlive-binaries-2017.20170613.44572-8ubuntu0.1.md) | Sep 22, 2018 |

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Data as of 2026-11-07T18:46:35Z UTC. Source: Patchblox Patch Radar (https://patchblox.com/security/patch-radar). Patchblox finds out-of-date software on Windows, macOS and Linux and updates it through release rings: https://patchblox.com/demo

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