CVE-2010-0819 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the Windows OpenType Compact Font Format (CFF) driver in Microsoft Windows 2000 SP4, XP SP2 and SP3, Server 2003 SP2, Vista SP1 and SP2, Server 2008 SP2 and R2, and Windows 7 allows local users to execute arbitrary code via unknown vectors related to improper validation when copying data from user mode to kernel mode, aka "OpenType CFF Font Driver Memory Corruption Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/27/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-0819 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within the Windows OpenType Compact Font Format CFF driver component that affects multiple versions of the Microsoft Windows operating system. This issue specifically manifests in the kernel-mode driver responsible for processing OpenType font files, creating a pathway for malicious exploitation that can result in arbitrary code execution with elevated privileges. The vulnerability resides in the improper validation mechanisms that govern data transfer between user mode and kernel mode contexts, which is a fundamental security principle that must be rigorously enforced to prevent privilege escalation attacks.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the CFF font driver when processing font data structures that are copied from user mode application contexts into kernel mode memory spaces. This type of flaw falls under the CWE-121 category of "Stack-based Buffer Overflow" and more specifically relates to improper handling of memory operations during data transfer processes. The vulnerability allows local attackers to manipulate font processing routines in such a way that they can overwrite critical kernel memory regions, potentially enabling privilege escalation from user-level to kernel-level execution. The attack vector involves crafting specially malformed font files or manipulating existing font data in ways that trigger the vulnerable code path during font rendering operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides local attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary code with system-level privileges, effectively bypassing standard user access controls and security boundaries. This vulnerability can be exploited through various means including malicious font files embedded in documents, web content, or system installations, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where font rendering occurs frequently. The affected systems span across multiple Windows versions including legacy platforms like Windows 2000 and Server 2003, as well as more recent versions such as Windows Vista and Windows 7, indicating a widespread exposure that required comprehensive patching across the Windows ecosystem. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework would place it within the Privilege Escalation tactic, specifically through the use of exploit techniques that leverage kernel-mode memory corruption.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate deployment of Microsoft security patches and updates that address the memory corruption issue in the CFF font driver component. System administrators should implement additional security controls such as restricting font processing capabilities in restricted environments, disabling unnecessary font rendering services, and applying the principle of least privilege to limit user access to potentially malicious font content. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of input validation and kernel-mode security boundaries, reinforcing the need for comprehensive code review practices and runtime protection mechanisms. Organizations should conduct vulnerability assessments to identify systems running affected Windows versions and ensure that all systems receive the necessary security updates, while also implementing monitoring solutions to detect potential exploitation attempts through anomalous font processing activities.