CVE-2006-0010 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in T2EMBED.DLL in Microsoft Windows 2000 SP4, XP SP1 and SP2, and Server 2003 up to SP1, Windows 98, and Windows ME allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via an e-mail message or web page with a crafted Embedded Open Type (EOT) web font that triggers the overflow during decompression.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/25/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-0010 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow within the T2EMBED.DLL component of Microsoft Windows operating systems. This flaw affects a broad range of Microsoft Windows versions including Windows 2000 Service Pack 4, Windows XP Service Packs 1 and 2, Windows Server 2003 up to Service Pack 1, as well as older systems Windows 98 and Windows ME. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the system processes Embedded Open Type EOT web fonts, which are designed to embed font data directly within web pages for consistent rendering across different platforms. The flaw occurs during the decompression process of these font files, creating a condition where maliciously crafted font data can overwrite adjacent memory locations in the heap memory space.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of EOT font files to trigger a buffer overflow condition that can be leveraged by remote attackers. When a user's system processes a specially crafted EOT font embedded in an email message or web page, the decompression routine in T2EMBED.DLL fails to properly validate the font data length against the allocated buffer space. This results in memory corruption that can be exploited to overwrite critical memory locations, potentially allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the affected application. The heap-based nature of the vulnerability means that the overflow occurs in dynamically allocated memory areas, making exploitation more complex but also more dangerous as it can lead to complete system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple code execution, as it represents a significant threat to enterprise security infrastructure and individual user devices. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability through various attack vectors including email phishing campaigns, malicious websites, and compromised web servers that serve malicious EOT fonts. The broad compatibility of the affected systems means that organizations running any of these Windows versions are potentially exposed to exploitation, with Windows 2000 and Windows XP being particularly vulnerable due to their widespread deployment in enterprise environments. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, heap-based buffer overflow, and maps to attack techniques in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the Tactic of Execution and Persistence, specifically targeting the use of malicious files and web content to establish unauthorized access.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-0010 require immediate attention from system administrators and security teams responsible for maintaining Windows environments. The most effective immediate solution involves applying the relevant Microsoft security patches that address the buffer overflow in T2EMBED.DLL, particularly the updates released in March 2006 as part of Microsoft's regular security bulletin cycle. Organizations should also implement network-based protections including web content filtering solutions that can identify and block malicious EOT font files before they reach user systems. Additionally, security configurations should be adjusted to disable automatic font downloading from untrusted sources, and email security solutions should be configured to scan for potentially malicious font attachments. Network segmentation and the implementation of least privilege principles can help limit the potential damage should exploitation occur, while regular system monitoring and intrusion detection systems should be deployed to identify any suspicious activity related to font processing or memory corruption patterns. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect against zero-day exploits and previously unknown attack vectors.