CVE-2014-2570 in PHP Font Lib
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in www/make_subset.php in PHP Font Lib before 0.3.1 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the name parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/25/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-2570 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the PHP Font Lib library, specifically in the make_subset.php script. This issue affects versions prior to 0.3.1 and demonstrates a critical weakness in input validation and output sanitization mechanisms. The vulnerability resides in the handling of the name parameter, which is processed without adequate sanitization measures, creating an opening for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of affected applications.
This vulnerability operates under the well-documented CWE-79 category, which classifies cross-site scripting as a code injection flaw that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web applications. The attack vector specifically targets the name parameter in the make_subset.php endpoint, where user-supplied input flows directly into the application's output without proper encoding or validation. The flaw enables remote code execution through browser-based attacks, where an attacker can craft malicious payloads that will be executed when other users view the affected content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can lead to session hijacking, credential theft, and unauthorized access to user accounts. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to manipulate the application's behavior, potentially redirecting users to malicious sites or extracting sensitive information from user sessions. The vulnerability affects web applications that utilize PHP Font Lib for font processing, making it particularly concerning for content management systems, e-commerce platforms, and any application that processes user-generated font data.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001, which describes the use of malicious content to gain initial access through web application attacks. The remediation strategy involves updating to PHP Font Lib version 0.3.1 or later, where proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms have been implemented. Additionally, developers should implement comprehensive input validation, employ proper HTML escaping techniques, and utilize content security policies to prevent such vulnerabilities from manifesting in future implementations. Organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their web applications to identify similar input validation flaws that could be exploited through comparable attack vectors.