CVE-2022-35459 in OTFCC
Summary
by MITRE • 08/17/2022
OTFCC v0.10.4 was discovered to contain a heap-buffer overflow via /release-x64/otfccdump+0x6e412a.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/17/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-35459 represents a critical heap-buffer overflow condition within the OTFCC (OpenType Font Compiler Collection) version 0.10.4 software. This issue manifests specifically within the /release-x64/otfccdump binary at offset 0x6e412a, indicating a memory corruption flaw that can be exploited through improper input handling during font processing operations. The vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking mechanisms when the software processes OpenType font files, particularly in how it manages memory allocation for buffer operations during font compilation or dumping activities. Such buffer overflow conditions are particularly dangerous because they can lead to arbitrary code execution or system instability when maliciously crafted font files are processed by the vulnerable software.
The technical nature of this heap-buffer overflow aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations within heap-allocated buffers. This vulnerability operates at the intersection of memory management and input validation failures, where the software fails to properly validate the size or content of font data before attempting to copy it into fixed-size buffers. The specific location within the otfccdump utility suggests that this issue occurs during the dumping or analysis phase of font processing, where the tool attempts to extract and display font information. Attackers could potentially craft malicious OpenType font files that, when processed by the vulnerable software, trigger the buffer overflow condition and allow for code execution or denial of service scenarios.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-35459 extends beyond simple software instability, as it creates potential attack vectors for privilege escalation and system compromise. When exploited successfully, this vulnerability could enable attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the otfccdump utility, potentially leading to complete system compromise if the utility runs with elevated permissions. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where font processing is automated or where the software handles untrusted font inputs from external sources. This type of vulnerability is categorized under the MITRE ATT&CK framework as part of the privilege escalation and execution techniques, specifically targeting memory corruption vulnerabilities that can be leveraged for code injection attacks. Organizations using OTFCC for font processing, particularly in web applications, desktop publishing systems, or font conversion utilities, face significant risk exposure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-35459 should prioritize immediate software updates to versions that address the heap-buffer overflow condition, as this represents the most effective remediation approach. System administrators should implement input validation controls to prevent processing of untrusted font files, particularly in automated environments where font conversion or analysis is performed without manual oversight. Additional protective measures include deploying memory protection mechanisms such as stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and heap integrity checks to make exploitation more difficult. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit the exposure of systems running vulnerable versions of OTFCC, particularly in environments where font processing occurs. Organizations should also consider implementing sandboxing techniques for font processing operations to contain potential exploitation attempts and prevent lateral movement within affected systems. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify and remediate similar memory corruption vulnerabilities in other font processing utilities and related software components.