CVE-2015-2461 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
ATMFD.DLL in the Windows Adobe Type Manager Library in Microsoft Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 SP1, Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 Gold and R2, Windows RT Gold and 8.1, and Windows 10 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted OpenType font, aka "OpenType Font Parsing Vulnerability," a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-2458 and CVE-2015-2459.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/18/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-2461 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow in the Windows Adobe Type Manager Library component, specifically within the ATMFD.DLL module. This flaw exists in multiple Windows operating system versions including Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 SP1, Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012, Windows RT, and Windows 10. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation during the parsing of OpenType font files, creating a pathway for remote code execution attacks. The flaw is classified under CWE-121 as a heap-based buffer overflow, which occurs when a program writes more data to a heap-allocated buffer than it can hold, leading to memory corruption that attackers can exploit to execute malicious code. This vulnerability operates at the intersection of font rendering and memory management, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through legitimate font processing operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a maliciously crafted OpenType font file is processed by the Windows Adobe Type Manager Library. The ATMFD.DLL component handles font rendering and type management across the Windows operating system, making it a critical system component that processes font files from various sources including web browsers, email attachments, and document viewers. When the vulnerable library parses an attacker-controlled font file, the improper bounds checking in the font parsing logic allows an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially corrupting the heap structure and enabling arbitrary code execution. This vulnerability is distinct from related CVE-2015-2458 and CVE-2015-2459, which target different aspects of the font processing pipeline, though they all fall under the broader category of font-based exploitation techniques.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-2461 extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it represents a sophisticated attack vector that can be leveraged for privilege escalation and persistent system compromise. Attackers can craft malicious font files that, when opened or even previewed by applications that utilize the Windows font rendering system, will trigger the buffer overflow condition. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be exploited through multiple attack vectors including web browsing, email attachments, and document processing, making it an attractive target for widespread exploitation campaigns. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell) and T1203 (Exploitation for Client Execution) categories, as attackers can leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the user who processes the malicious font file. The attack surface is extensive since many applications depend on the Windows font subsystem for rendering text, including web browsers, office suites, and document viewers.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-2461 should focus on both immediate patching and defensive measures. Microsoft released security updates that address this vulnerability through patches for all affected Windows versions, and organizations should prioritize applying these updates immediately. In environments where patching cannot be immediately deployed, defensive measures include implementing application whitelisting policies, disabling automatic font rendering for untrusted content, and configuring web browsers to prevent automatic font downloading from untrusted sources. The vulnerability's exploitation requires user interaction through the processing of malicious font files, making user education and awareness programs valuable defensive measures. Network-based mitigations can include implementing content filtering solutions that block suspicious font files and monitoring network traffic for potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing the principle of least privilege, ensuring that users have minimal necessary permissions to reduce the potential impact of successful exploitation. Security monitoring should focus on detecting unusual font processing activities and memory corruption patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices in system libraries and highlights the need for continuous vulnerability assessment of core operating system components that handle untrusted input data.