CVE-2012-1130 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE
FreeType before 2.4.9, as used in Mozilla Firefox Mobile before 10.0.4 and other products, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (invalid heap read operation and memory corruption) or possibly execute arbitrary code via crafted property data in a PCF font.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/01/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-1130 represents a critical heap-based buffer overread condition within the FreeType font rendering library, which serves as a foundational component in numerous software applications including Mozilla Firefox Mobile. This flaw specifically manifests when processing Property Common Format (PCF) font files, which are commonly used in X Window System environments and various Unix-like operating systems. The vulnerability affects FreeType versions prior to 2.4.9 and has significant implications for mobile browsers and applications that rely on this library for font handling. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and bounds checking within the font property parsing mechanism, creating opportunities for attackers to craft malicious font data that can trigger memory corruption during normal font rendering operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through carefully constructed PCF font files containing malformed property data that, when processed by the vulnerable FreeType library, causes the application to perform invalid heap read operations. This memory corruption can result in unpredictable behavior ranging from application crashes and denial of service conditions to potential code execution within the context of the affected application. The flaw operates at the intersection of software security and graphics rendering, where font parsing routines fail to properly validate the length and structure of property data, leading to memory access violations that can be leveraged by remote attackers. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be triggered through web content or downloaded font files, making it exploitable in web browser contexts where users might encounter malicious fonts during normal browsing activities.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-1130 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to encompass potential remote code execution capabilities that could allow attackers to compromise affected systems. Mobile browsers like Mozilla Firefox Mobile versions prior to 10.0.4 were particularly vulnerable because they integrated the affected FreeType library directly into their rendering engines, creating attack vectors through web content delivery. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal user interaction beyond normal browsing or font processing activities, making it particularly dangerous in mobile environments where users may encounter fonts in various contexts including email attachments, web pages, or downloadable content. Security researchers have classified this vulnerability according to CWE-125, which describes "Out-of-bounds Read" conditions, and the attack patterns align with those documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under techniques related to code injection and privilege escalation through software vulnerabilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-1130 primarily focus on updating affected systems to FreeType version 2.4.9 or later, which includes proper bounds checking and input validation for PCF font property data. Organizations should prioritize patching mobile browsers and applications that rely on vulnerable FreeType implementations, particularly in environments where users may encounter untrusted font content. Additional defensive measures include implementing font filtering mechanisms that restrict the types of font files processed by applications, deploying network-based intrusion detection systems that can identify suspicious font content, and establishing robust software update policies that ensure timely deployment of security patches. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining current font rendering libraries and implementing comprehensive input validation across all software components that process external data, particularly in mobile environments where resource constraints may limit the effectiveness of traditional security controls.