CVE-2015-0091 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Font Driver in Microsoft Windows Server 2003 SP2, Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 SP1, Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 Gold and R2, and Windows RT Gold and 8.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted (1) web site or (2) file, aka "Adobe Font Driver Remote Code Execution Vulnerability," a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-0088, CVE-2015-0090, CVE-2015-0092, and CVE-2015-0093.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/15/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-0091 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within the Adobe Font Driver component of Microsoft Windows operating systems. This vulnerability affects a broad range of Windows versions including server and client operating systems spanning from Windows Server 2003 through Windows 8.1, making it particularly dangerous due to its widespread impact across enterprise environments. The flaw resides in how the Adobe Font Driver processes certain font data, specifically when handling crafted web content or malicious files that contain specially constructed font information.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through improper input validation within the font processing pipeline of the Adobe Font Driver. When a user visits a malicious website or opens a specially crafted file containing malformed font data, the driver fails to properly sanitize the input, leading to memory corruption that can be leveraged by attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected user. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of how font rendering components can serve as attack vectors for privilege escalation and system compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-0091 extends beyond simple code execution as it provides attackers with a method to gain persistent access to compromised systems. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to deploy malware, establish backdoors, or conduct further reconnaissance within network environments. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework would align with techniques such as T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation. Organizations running affected Windows versions face significant risk as the vulnerability can be exploited through multiple attack vectors including web browsers, email attachments, and file downloads, making traditional security controls less effective against this threat.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-0091 require immediate patch deployment through Microsoft's security updates, as the vulnerability was addressed in the March 2015 security bulletin. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit exposure, disable unnecessary font rendering capabilities where possible, and deploy application whitelisting solutions to prevent execution of untrusted font files. Additionally, security monitoring should focus on detecting anomalous font processing activities and network connections to suspicious domains that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of keeping font rendering components updated and highlights the need for comprehensive vulnerability management programs that address both known and emerging threats in Windows operating systems.