CVE-2025-27363: FreeType Out-of-Bounds Write Vulnerability

Published Mar 11, 2025
·
Updated

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.

Other sources

An out of bounds write exists in FreeType versions 2.13.0 and below 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.

— Red Hat

FreeType contains an out-of-bounds write vulnerability when attempting to parse font subglyph structures related to TrueType GX and variable font files that may allow for arbitrary code execution.

— CISA

In loadtruetypeglyph of ttgload.c, there is a possible out of bounds write due to an integer overflow. This could lead to local code execution with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.

— OSV

This CVE was automatically created from a reference found in an email or other text. If you are reading this, then this CVE entry is probably erroneous, since this text should be replaced by the official CVE description automatically.

— Launchpad

Affected Software

13 affected componentsFixes available
FreeType FreeType<2.13.0
debian/freetype<=2.10.4+dfsg-1+deb11u1, <=2.12.1+dfsg-5+deb12u3
2.10.4+dfsg-1+deb11u22.12.1+dfsg-5+deb12u42.13.3+dfsg-1
IBM Security Verify Governance<=ISVG 10.0.2
IBM Security Verify Governance -Identity Manager software component<=ISVG 10.0.2
IBM Security Verify Governance -Identity Manager virtual appliance component<=ISVG 10.0.2
FreeType FreeType<=2.13.0
Debian Debian Linux=11.0
Microsoft cbl2 freetype 2.13.0-1<2.13.1-1
2.13.1-1
Microsoft cbl2 freetype 2.13.1-1<2.13.1-1
2.13.1-1
Google Android
FreeType FreeType
android/platform/external/freetype>=13:0<13:2025-05-01
13:2025-05-01
android/platform/external/freetype>=14:0<14:2025-05-01
14:2025-05-01

Remediation

Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.

  1. Upgrade

    Upgrade debian/freetype to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 2.10.4+dfsg-1+deb11u2Fixed in 2.12.1+dfsg-5+deb12u4Fixed in 2.13.3+dfsg-1
  2. Upgrade

    Upgrade to a fixed release to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 2.13.1-1
  3. Upgrade

    Upgrade android/platform/external/freetype to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 13:2025-05-01
  4. Upgrade

    Upgrade android/platform/external/freetype to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 14:2025-05-01
  5. Compensating control

    Discontinue use of FreeType if mitigations are unavailable.

Event History

Mar 11, 2025
CVE Published
via MITRE·01:28 PM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·01:28 PM
DescriptionSeverityWeakness
Data Sourced
via Red Hat·02:01 PM
DescriptionSeverityAffected Software
Data Sourced
via NVD·02:15 PM
DescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software
Mar 12, 2025
News Published
via BleepingComputer·09:04 PM
Mar 15, 2025
Data Sourced
via Microsoft·07:00 AM
DescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software
May 1, 2025
Advisory Published
via OSV·12:00 AM
Data Sourced
via OSV·12:00 AM
DescriptionAffected Software
May 5, 2025
Data Sourced
via Android·12:00 AM
SeverityWeaknessAffected Software
May 6, 2025
Data Sourced
via CISA·12:00 AM
RemedyDescriptionWeaknessAffected Software
News Published
via BleepingComputer·01:33 PM
Jul 23, 2025
Exploit Published
via GitHub·09:44 AM
Aug 27, 2025
Data Sourced
via IBM·12:00 AM
DescriptionAffected Software

Parent advisories

This vulnerability appears in the following advisories.

Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the severity of CVE-2025-27363?

CVE-2025-27363 is rated as a high severity vulnerability due to the potential for remote code execution or crashes.

2

How do I fix CVE-2025-27363?

To fix CVE-2025-27363, upgrade FreeType to version 2.13.1 or later to mitigate the out of bounds write issue.

3

What versions of FreeType are affected by CVE-2025-27363?

CVE-2025-27363 affects FreeType versions 2.13.0 and below.

4

What type of vulnerability is CVE-2025-27363?

CVE-2025-27363 is an out of bounds write vulnerability that occurs when parsing certain font structures.

5

What are the potential impacts of CVE-2025-27363?

If exploited, CVE-2025-27363 could lead to application crashes or execution of arbitrary code on affected systems.

Contact

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