FreeType up to 2.13.0 out-of-bounds write

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, was found in FreeType up to 2.13.0. Affected by this vulnerability is an unknown functionality. Executing a manipulation can lead to out-of-bounds write. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2025-27363. The attack can be executed remotely. Additionally, an exploit exists.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in FreeType up to 2.13.0. It has been declared as critical. This vulnerability affects some unknown functionality. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a out-of-bounds write vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-787. The product writes data past the end, or before the beginning, of the intended buffer. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

An out of bounds write exists in FreeType versions 2.13.0 and below (newer versions of FreeType are not vulnerable) when attempting to parse font subglyph structures related to TrueType GX and variable font files. The vulnerable code assigns a signed short value to an unsigned long and then adds a static value causing it to wrap around and allocate too small of a heap buffer. The code then writes up to 6 signed long integers out of bounds relative to this buffer. This may result in arbitrary code execution. This vulnerability may have been exploited in the wild.

The advisory is available at facebook.com. This vulnerability was named CVE-2025-27363 since 02/21/2025. The exploitation appears to be difficult. The attack can be initiated remotely. No form of authentication is required for a successful exploitation. Technical details are unknown but an exploit is available. The structure of the vulnerability defines a possible price range of USD $0-$5k at the moment (estimation calculated on 10/27/2025).

It is declared as attacked. The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 232845 (Debian dsa-5880 : freetype2-demos - security update), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment. This issue was added on 05/06/2025 to the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog with a due date of 05/27/2025:

Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.

There is no information about possible countermeasures known. It may be suggested to replace the affected object with an alternative product.

The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at Tenable (232845). If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.

Productinfo

Type

• Software Library

Name

• FreeType

Version

• 2.0
• 2.1
• 2.2
• 2.3
• 2.4
• 2.5
• 2.6
• 2.7
• 2.8
• 2.9
• 2.10
• 2.11
• 2.12
• 2.13.0

License

• open-source

CPE 2.3info

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CPE 2.2info

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Entryinfo

If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.

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