Description
Multiple stack-based buffer overflows in the cff_decoder_parse_charstrings function in the CFF Type2 CharStrings interpreter in cff/cffgload.c in FreeType before 2.4.2, as used in Apple iOS before 4.0.2 on the iPhone and iPod touch and before 3.2.2 on the iPad, allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via crafted CFF opcodes in embedded fonts in a PDF document, as demonstrated by JailbreakMe. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
Fixed in Linux distributions
Distributions backport fixes, so the version that fixes this vulnerability differs per release — upgrade to at least the version shown. From the distributions' security trackers and advisories.
Debian
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian 14 | freetype | 2.4.2-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | freetype | 2.4.2-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | freetype | 2.4.2-1 | — |
| Debian 5.0 | freetype | 2.3.7-2+lenny3 | DSA-2105-1 |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 5 | freetype +2 | 2.2.1-26.el5_5 | RHSA-2010:0607 |
| RHEL 4 | freetype +3 | 2.1.9-15.el4.8 | RHSA-2010:0607 |
| RHEL 3 | freetype +1 | 2.1.4-16.el3 | RHSA-2010:0607 |
Public exploits
Exploit or proof-of-concept code for this vulnerability is publicly available, which lowers the bar for attackers. Treat it as a reason to patch sooner.
Exploit-DB 2
- Foxit Reader 4.0 - '.pdf' Multiple Stack Based Buffer Overflow 'Jailbreak' EDB-14727 · local · Aug 24, 2010
- Apple iOS - '.pdf' Local Privilege Escalation 'Jailbreak' EDB-14538 · local · Aug 3, 2010 · verified
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 2
- RHSA-2010:0607 Red Hat Security Advisory: freetype security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
- DSA-2105-1 freetype - several vulnerabilities Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- http://git.savannah.gnu.org/cgit/freetype/freetype2.git/commit/?id=018f5c27813dd7eef4648fe254632ecea0c85a50
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=621144
- http://git.savannah.gnu.org/cgit/freetype/freetype2.git/commit/?id=11d65e8a1f1f14e56148fd991965424d9bd1cdbc
- 14538 exploit
- https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/maverick/+source/freetype/+bug/617019
- ADV-2010-2018 vdb-entry
- 66828 vdb-entry
- http://www.f-secure.com/weblog/archives/00002002.html
- USN-972-1 vendor-advisory
- APPLE-SA-2010-08-11-2 vendor-advisory
- 40816 third-party-advisory
- http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4292
- http://freetype.sourceforge.net/index2.html#release-freetype-2.4.2
- http://sourceforge.net/projects/freetype/files/freetype2/2.4.2/NEWS/view
- 42151 vdb-entry
- http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4291
- 40982 third-party-advisory
- ADV-2010-2106 vdb-entry
- APPLE-SA-2010-08-11-1 vendor-advisory
- 48951 third-party-advisory
- appleios-pdf-code-execution(60856) vdb-entry
- 40807 third-party-advisory