CVE-2022-35485 in OTFCC
Summary
by MITRE • 08/17/2022
OTFCC v0.10.4 was discovered to contain a segmentation violation via /release-x64/otfccdump+0x703969.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/17/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-35485 affects OTFCC version 0.10.4 and represents a critical segmentation fault condition that occurs during the execution of the otfccdump utility. This issue manifests specifically within the /release-x64/otfccdump binary at offset 0x703969, indicating a memory access violation that can lead to application termination and potential system instability. The flaw arises from improper handling of input data structures during the dumping process of OpenType font files, where the application fails to validate memory boundaries before accessing allocated resources. Such segmentation violations typically occur when programs attempt to access memory locations outside their allocated address space, often due to buffer overflows, use-after-free conditions, or improper pointer arithmetic.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability demonstrates a clear path to denial of service conditions where an attacker can craft malicious OpenType font files that trigger the segmentation fault when processed by the vulnerable otfccdump utility. This represents a classic example of a memory safety issue that aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and potentially CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write vulnerabilities. The operational impact extends beyond simple application crashes as this vulnerability can be leveraged in broader attack scenarios where font processing is involved, particularly in environments where automated font validation or conversion processes are employed. Attackers could potentially use this flaw in conjunction with other techniques to escalate privileges or execute arbitrary code, especially when the affected utility is part of larger software ecosystems that process untrusted font data.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks in environments where font processing is automated or integrated into larger workflows. The segmentation fault can be exploited through various attack vectors including email attachments, web content, or file sharing systems where OpenType fonts are processed. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1203, which covers Exploitation for Client Execution, and potentially T1059, representing command and scripting interpreter usage. Organizations relying on OTFCC for font conversion and validation services must consider this vulnerability as a potential entry point for more sophisticated attacks, particularly when the affected system processes untrusted input from external sources. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper input validation and memory management practices in font processing libraries, as similar issues could exist in other components of the font handling pipeline.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of the OTFCC utility to version 0.10.5 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the segmentation fault condition. System administrators should implement strict input validation procedures for all font files processed by the application, including signature verification and content scanning before processing. Additionally, deployment of network segmentation and access controls can help limit the potential impact of exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar memory safety issues in other font processing utilities and related components. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of memory safety in font processing systems, particularly given the widespread use of font files across various operating systems and applications. Organizations should also consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms for font processing operations to contain potential exploitation attempts and prevent lateral movement within compromised systems.