Description
Heap-based buffer overflow in the Mac_Read_POST_Resource function in base/ftobjs.c in FreeType before 2.4.0 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code via a crafted length value in a POST fragment header in a font file.
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 | 2.4.0-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | freetype | 2.4.0-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | freetype | 2.4.0-1 | — |
| Debian 5.0 | freetype | 2.3.7-2+lenny2 | DSA-2070-1 |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 5 | freetype +2 | 2.2.1-25.el5_5 | RHSA-2010:0578 |
| RHEL 4 | freetype +3 | 2.1.9-14.el4.8 | RHSA-2010:0578 |
Advisories 2
- RHSA-2010:0578 Red Hat Security Advisory: freetype security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
- DSA-2070-1 freetype - several vulnerabilities Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- USN-963-1 vendor-advisory
- http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4435
- http://git.savannah.gnu.org/cgit/freetype/freetype2.git/commit/?id=b2ea64bcc6c385a8e8318f9c759450a07df58b6d
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=613194
- [freetype] 20100712 FreeType 2.4.0 has been released mailing-list
- APPLE-SA-2010-11-10-1 vendor-advisory
- http://git.savannah.gnu.org/cgit/freetype/freetype2.git/commit/?id=5ef20c8c1d4de12a84b50ba497c2a358c90ec44b
- [oss-security] 20100714 Re: Multiple bugs in freetype mailing-list
- https://savannah.nongnu.org/bugs/?30306
- DSA-2070 vendor-advisory
- [oss-security] 20100713 Multiple bugs in freetype mailing-list
- 1024266 vdb-entry
- RHSA-2010:0578 vendor-advisory
- MDVSA-2010:137 vendor-advisory
- 48951 third-party-advisory