CVE-2015-0093 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-2015-0091, and CVE-2015-0092.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/15/2022
This vulnerability exists within the Adobe Font Driver component of Microsoft Windows operating systems, specifically affecting versions including 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. The flaw allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code through crafted web content or files, representing a critical security weakness that could be exploited without user interaction. The vulnerability specifically affects how the Adobe Font Driver processes certain font data structures, creating a remote code execution vector that bypasses normal security boundaries and could lead to complete system compromise. This issue is distinct from related vulnerabilities CVE-2015-0088, CVE-2015-0090, CVE-2015-0091, and CVE-2015-0092, indicating it represents a separate code path or implementation flaw within the font processing subsystem.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the Adobe Font Driver when handling maliciously crafted font files or web content containing embedded font data. Attackers can construct specially formatted font files or web pages that, when processed by the vulnerable Windows system, trigger memory corruption conditions that allow arbitrary code execution. The flaw typically manifests through buffer overflows or heap corruption when parsing font metadata, particularly affecting TrueType and OpenType font formats. This vulnerability operates at a low system level within the Windows font rendering pipeline, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited before traditional user interface security measures take effect. The attack surface includes web browsers, email clients, and any application that processes font data, potentially allowing exploitation through phishing emails, malicious websites, or compromised web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass complete system compromise and potential lateral movement within network environments. Once successfully exploited, attackers can gain full system privileges and establish persistent access to affected systems. The vulnerability's remote nature means it can be exploited without requiring physical access or user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website or opening a compromised file. This characteristic makes it particularly attractive to automated exploit campaigns and advanced persistent threat actors. The affected platforms span multiple Windows versions and server editions, creating a broad attack surface that could impact enterprise networks, government systems, and critical infrastructure. Organizations with legacy systems running Windows Server 2003 or Windows Vista are particularly vulnerable due to limited security updates and support lifecycle constraints.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patch deployment through Microsoft's security update channels, specifically addressing the Adobe Font Driver component in affected Windows versions. Organizations should implement network segmentation and firewall rules to limit access to potentially vulnerable systems, while also deploying application whitelisting solutions to prevent execution of untrusted font files. Security monitoring should focus on detecting suspicious font processing activities and anomalous network connections that could indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Windows Scripting and T1203 for Exploitation for Client Execution, while the underlying CWE-121 buffer overflow condition demonstrates the classic weakness in stack-based buffer management. Additional defensive measures include disabling unnecessary font processing capabilities in web browsers and email clients, implementing robust endpoint detection and response solutions, and maintaining comprehensive incident response procedures that account for remote code execution vulnerabilities. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should specifically target font processing components to identify and remediate similar weaknesses in other system components.