---
title: "CVE-2008-3863\n    | Ubuntu"
description: Ubuntu is an open source software operating system that runs from the
  desktop, to the cloud, to all your internet connected things.
url: https://ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2008-3863?format=md
keywords: index, follow
---

# CVE-2008-3863

Publication date 23 October 2008

Last updated 24 July 2024

---

Ubuntu priority

**Low**

[Why this priority?](https://ubuntu.com/security/cves/about#priority )

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## 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.

[Read the notes from the security team](https://ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2008-3863?format=md#notes)

## Status

Show unmaintained releases

| Package | Ubuntu Release | Status |
| --- | --- | --- |
| enscript | 8.10 intrepid | Fixed 1.6.4-12ubuntu0.8.10.1 |
| 8.04 LTS hardy | Fixed 1.6.4-12ubuntu0.8.04.1 |
| 7.10 gutsy | Fixed 1.6.4-11ubuntu0.2 |
| 6.06 LTS dapper | Fixed 1.6.4-7ubuntu0.2 |

---

* [How can I get the fixes?](https://ubuntu.com/security/cves/about#security)
* [What do statuses mean?](https://ubuntu.com/security/cves/about#statuses)

## Notes

---

### [kees](https://launchpad.net/~kees)

user-assisted

## References

* [MITRE](https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2008-3863)
* [NVD](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2008-3863)
* [Launchpad](https://launchpad.net/bugs/cve/CVE-2008-3863)
* [Debian](https://security-tracker.debian.org/tracker/CVE-2008-3863)

### Related Ubuntu Security Notices (USN)

+ [USN-660-1](https://usn.ubuntu.com/USN-660-1)
+ enscript vulnerability
+ 3 November 2008

### Other references

* <https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2008-3863>