CVE-2013-3129 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft .NET Framework 3.0 SP2, 3.5, 3.5.1, 4, and 4.5; Silverlight 5 before 5.1.20513.0; win32k.sys in the kernel-mode drivers, and GDI+, DirectWrite, and Journal, in Windows XP SP2 and SP3, Windows Server 2003 SP2, Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 SP1, Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8, Windows Server 2012, and Windows RT; GDI+ in Office 2003 SP3, 2007 SP3, and 2010 SP1; GDI+ in Visual Studio .NET 2003 SP1; and GDI+ in Lync 2010, 2010 Attendee, 2013, and Basic 2013 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 • 01/17/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-3129 represents a critical security flaw in multiple Microsoft products and components that process TrueType Font files, specifically targeting the parsing mechanisms used in graphics rendering subsystems. This vulnerability affects a broad range of operating systems and applications including various versions of Windows operating systems from XP through Windows 8, Microsoft Office suites, Visual Studio environments, and Silverlight applications. The flaw resides in how these systems handle maliciously crafted TrueType Font files, which can be embedded in various document formats or delivered through web-based attacks. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-125 as an out-of-bounds read condition, where the system attempts to access memory locations beyond the bounds of allocated buffers during font processing operations. This issue is particularly concerning as it can be exploited through multiple attack vectors including email attachments, web downloads, and malicious websites, making it a prime target for widespread exploitation across enterprise and consumer environments.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a user opens or previews a specially crafted TrueType font file that contains malformed data structures designed to trigger buffer overflow conditions in the affected graphics rendering components. The attack leverages the kernel-mode drivers and user-mode graphics libraries such as win32k.sys, GDI+, DirectWrite, and Journal components that are responsible for rendering fonts and graphical elements. When these systems attempt to parse the malicious font file, they execute code that overflows memory buffers, allowing attackers to inject and execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected process. The exploitation typically requires a user to interact with the malicious font file through normal system operations such as opening documents containing embedded fonts, previewing files, or visiting compromised websites. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited in both local and remote scenarios, with the potential for privilege escalation from user-level to system-level execution, as demonstrated by the ATT&CK framework's technique T1068 which covers privilege escalation through kernel exploits.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-3129 extends far beyond individual system compromises, as it affects critical infrastructure components across multiple Microsoft products and platforms. Organizations running affected versions of Windows, Office, Visual Studio, and Lync applications face significant risks including data breaches, system compromise, and potential lateral movement within networks. The vulnerability's wide attack surface means that even a single compromised endpoint can serve as a foothold for broader network infiltration. Security professionals must consider the implications of this vulnerability in relation to various ATT&CK techniques including T1059 for command and control through malicious code execution, and T1203 for exploitation of software vulnerabilities. The widespread presence of affected components across different Microsoft products means that organizations must implement comprehensive patch management strategies, network segmentation, and user education to mitigate the risk of exploitation. Additionally, the vulnerability's presence in kernel-mode drivers like win32k.sys makes it particularly dangerous as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise, making it a high-priority target for both automated exploits and targeted attacks by advanced persistent threat groups. The remediation efforts require careful coordination across multiple system components and applications, with particular attention to ensuring that all affected versions receive proper updates and that organizations maintain robust security monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts.