CVE-2012-0159 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Windows XP SP2 and SP3, Windows Server 2003 SP2, Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2, R2, and R2 SP1, Windows 7 Gold and SP1, and Windows 8 Consumer Preview; Office 2003 SP3, 2007 SP2 and SP3, and 2010 Gold and SP1; Silverlight 4 before 4.1.10329; and Silverlight 5 before 5.1.10411 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted TrueType font (TTF) file, aka "TrueType Font Parsing Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/24/2021
The CVE-2012-0159 vulnerability represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow in Microsoft's handling of TrueType font files, specifically affecting a wide range of operating systems and software components. This vulnerability stems from improper validation of font data structures during the parsing process, allowing maliciously crafted TrueType font files to trigger memory corruption that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code. The flaw exists in the Windows font processing subsystem and affects multiple versions of Windows including XP SP2 and SP3, Windows Server 2003 SP2, Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2, Windows 7 Gold and SP1, and Windows 8 Consumer Preview. Additionally, the vulnerability extends to various Office versions including 2003 SP3, 2007 SP2 and SP3, and 2010 Gold and SP1, as well as Silverlight versions 4 before 4.1.10329 and Silverlight 5 before 5.1.10411, demonstrating the widespread impact across Microsoft's ecosystem.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the exploitation of a heap overflow condition that occurs when the affected systems process specially crafted TrueType font files containing malicious data structures. When a vulnerable system attempts to parse a malicious TTF file, the font parser fails to properly validate the length and structure of font tables, leading to a buffer overflow that can be manipulated to overwrite adjacent memory locations. This memory corruption can be leveraged to redirect execution flow and inject malicious code into the target system's memory space. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because TrueType fonts are commonly encountered in various contexts including email attachments, web pages, and document files, making exploitation relatively easy for attackers who can persuade users to open malicious content.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-0159 is severe and far-reaching, as it provides remote attackers with a straightforward path to achieve arbitrary code execution on vulnerable systems. Attackers can craft malicious TrueType font files and deliver them through various attack vectors including phishing emails, compromised websites, or infected documents, leading to potential system compromise and data exfiltration. The vulnerability affects both desktop and server environments, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise networks where the attack surface is extensive. The exploitation can result in complete system compromise, allowing attackers to establish persistent backdoors, escalate privileges, and access sensitive data. Given the wide range of affected products, organizations face significant challenges in patch management and risk mitigation across their entire infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-0159 should include immediate deployment of Microsoft security patches and updates, as well as implementation of network-level protections to prevent the delivery of malicious font files. Organizations should disable automatic font rendering for untrusted content and implement strict file type validation controls. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation" and CWE-121 which describes "Stack-based Buffer Overflow", though the specific implementation involves heap-based memory corruption. Security professionals should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of untrusted font files and monitor for suspicious font-related activities in system logs. Network segmentation and intrusion detection systems should be configured to detect and block attempts to deliver malicious TrueType fonts through web traffic or email attachments, as these are the most common attack delivery mechanisms for this vulnerability.