CVE-2022-35463 in OTFCC
Summary
by MITRE • 08/17/2022
OTFCC v0.10.4 was discovered to contain a heap-buffer overflow via /release-x64/otfccdump+0x6b0478.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/17/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-35463 affects OTFCC version 0.10.4 and represents a heap-buffer overflow condition that occurs within the binary release-x64/otfccdump at offset 0x6b0478. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of memory safety issues and is particularly dangerous because it can lead to arbitrary code execution or system instability. The heap-buffer overflow manifests when the application processes malformed input data that exceeds the allocated buffer boundaries in heap memory, potentially allowing attackers to overwrite adjacent memory regions with controlled data.
The technical flaw stems from insufficient bounds checking during the processing of font-related data structures within the OpenType Font Collection (OTFCC) library. When the otfccdump utility attempts to parse specific font files, it fails to properly validate the size and structure of input data before copying it into fixed-size heap buffers. This allows an attacker to craft malicious font files that, when processed by the vulnerable application, trigger the buffer overflow condition. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates within a utility that handles font file processing, which are commonly encountered in document processing, web browsing, and multimedia applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application crashes, as it creates potential entry points for more sophisticated attacks. An attacker who can successfully exploit this heap-buffer overflow could potentially execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the otfccdump utility. This scenario aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and CWE-121 for stack-based buffer overflow, though the heap-based nature of this specific vulnerability makes it more aligned with CWE-122 heap-based buffer overflow conditions. The vulnerability affects systems that utilize OTFCC for font processing, particularly those in environments where untrusted font files might be processed, such as web servers, document viewers, or font management systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-35463 should prioritize immediate patching of the OTFCC library to version 0.10.5 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the heap-buffer overflow condition. Organizations should also implement input validation measures to prevent processing of malformed font files, particularly in environments where font processing occurs on untrusted data. Additional protective measures include deploying heap protection mechanisms such as stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and control flow integrity checks. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory management practices and input validation in font processing libraries, as highlighted by industry standards such as CWE-122 and the broader principles of secure coding practices that prevent buffer overflow conditions in memory-intensive applications.