CVE-2010-2807 in FreeType
Summary
by MITRE
FreeType before 2.4.2 uses incorrect integer data types during bounds checking, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code via a crafted font file.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/23/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-2807 represents a critical integer overflow issue within the FreeType font rendering library that affects versions prior to 2.4.2. This flaw exists in the core font processing functionality that handles font file parsing and rendering operations. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of integer data types during bounds checking operations, which creates a condition where maliciously crafted font files can trigger unexpected behavior in applications that rely on FreeType for font rendering. The affected FreeType library is widely deployed across operating systems, web browsers, and applications that process font files, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through various attack vectors including web browsing, email attachments, and document processing.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper use of integer data types during memory allocation and bounds validation within the font parsing routines. When FreeType processes font files, it performs calculations to determine buffer sizes and memory allocation requirements based on font metadata. The flaw occurs when these calculations involve integer overflow conditions, where arithmetic operations exceed the maximum representable value for the given integer type. This mismanagement of integer types during bounds checking allows attackers to craft font files that appear legitimate to the parser but contain maliciously constructed values that cause the application to allocate insufficient memory or perform invalid memory operations. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-190 as an integer overflow error, specifically manifesting as an integer overflow in bounds checking operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service to potentially enable remote code execution in affected systems. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by creating specially crafted font files that, when processed by applications using vulnerable FreeType versions, trigger the integer overflow condition. This can result in application crashes, system instability, or in more severe cases, arbitrary code execution if the overflow leads to memory corruption that can be leveraged for privilege escalation. The vulnerability affects a broad spectrum of applications including web browsers, office suites, desktop applications, and mobile operating systems that utilize FreeType for font rendering. The attack surface is particularly large since FreeType is integrated into numerous software ecosystems, making the potential for exploitation widespread.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-2807 primarily involve immediate upgrading to FreeType version 2.4.2 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the integer overflow conditions in bounds checking. System administrators should prioritize patching all affected applications that rely on FreeType, particularly web browsers, email clients, and document processing software. Additional protective measures include implementing strict font file validation, sandboxing applications that process font files, and monitoring for suspicious font file usage patterns. Security professionals should also consider network-based detection mechanisms that can identify potentially malicious font files based on their structure and metadata. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper integer type handling in security-critical code and reinforces the need for comprehensive testing of boundary conditions in memory management operations. Organizations should conduct vulnerability assessments to identify all systems using vulnerable FreeType versions and ensure complete remediation across their infrastructure.