CVE-2015-2464 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
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, Office 2007 SP3 and 2010 SP2, Live Meeting 2007 Console, Lync 2010, Lync 2010 Attendee, Lync 2013 SP1, Lync Basic 2013 SP1, Silverlight before 5.1.40728, and .NET Framework 3.0 SP2, 3.5, 3.5.1, 4, 4.5, 4.5.1, 4.5.2, and 4.6 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted TrueType font, aka "TrueType Font Parsing Vulnerability," a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-2463.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/23/2025
The CVE-2015-2464 vulnerability represents a critical true type font parsing flaw that affected multiple Microsoft operating systems and applications from 2008 through 2015. This vulnerability specifically targets the Windows font handling subsystem where the operating system processes TrueType font files to render text on screen. The flaw exists in how Windows parses and validates font data, creating a potential code execution vector that can be exploited by remote attackers. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-129 as an insufficient input validation, where the system fails to properly validate the boundaries and structure of font data before processing it. This issue is particularly dangerous because font files are commonly encountered in email attachments, web content, and various digital documents, making exploitation vectors abundant and widespread.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a maliciously crafted TrueType font file is processed by the Windows font subsystem. When the operating system attempts to render text using an improperly formatted font, the parsing routine fails to properly validate the font structure, allowing attackers to manipulate memory layout and execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected process. The vulnerability specifically impacts the Windows font cache and rendering engine, where font data is parsed and stored in memory. Attackers can leverage this flaw by embedding malicious font data within legitimate documents or web pages, causing the system to execute code when the font is rendered during normal operation. The attack requires no user interaction beyond viewing the content, making it particularly dangerous for phishing campaigns and targeted attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-2464 extends across a broad spectrum of Microsoft products and platforms, affecting both server and client operating systems. Systems running Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2 SP1, Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and their respective server counterparts are all vulnerable to this flaw. Additionally, the vulnerability affects Microsoft Office applications including Office 2007 SP3 and 2010 SP2, as well as various Lync and Silverlight versions. The attack surface is significantly expanded by the fact that the vulnerability can be triggered through multiple vectors including email attachments, web downloads, and network file shares. This vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1068 which involves exploiting local privileges, and T1203 which covers exploitation for privilege escalation through software vulnerabilities.
Microsoft addressed this vulnerability through multiple security updates released in the 2015 patch Tuesday cycle, with the primary fix targeting the font parsing routines in the Windows GDI+ subsystem. The mitigation strategy involves applying the relevant security patches from Microsoft, which modify the font validation logic to properly handle malformed TrueType font data. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit exposure, disable automatic font rendering in untrusted environments, and monitor for unusual font processing activities. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation in system libraries and the potential for seemingly benign functionality to serve as attack vectors. Security professionals should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of untrusted font files and regularly audit font handling processes within enterprise environments. This vulnerability underscores the critical nature of font processing libraries in modern operating systems and the necessity for robust validation mechanisms across all input processing pathways.