Description
Array index error in the t42_parse_sfnts function in type42/t42parse.c in FreeType before 2.4.2 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code via negative size values for certain strings in FontType42 font files, leading to a heap-based buffer overflow.
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 6 | freetype +2 | 2.3.11-6.el6_0.1 | RHSA-2010:0864 |
| RHEL 5 | freetype +2 | 2.2.1-28.el5_5 | RHSA-2010:0737 |
| RHEL 4 | freetype +3 | 2.1.9-17.el4.8 | RHSA-2010:0737 |
| RHEL 3 | freetype +1 | 2.1.4-18.el3 | RHSA-2010:0736 |
Advisories 4
- RHSA-2010:0864 Red Hat Security Advisory: freetype security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 28, 2026
- RHSA-2010:0737 Red Hat Security Advisory: freetype security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 28, 2026
- RHSA-2010:0736 Red Hat Security Advisory: freetype security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 28, 2026
- DSA-2105-1 freetype - several vulnerabilities Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- ADV-2010-3045 vdb-entry
- http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4435
- https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/maverick/+source/freetype/+bug/617019
- http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4457
- ADV-2010-2018 vdb-entry
- ADV-2010-3046 vdb-entry
- RHSA-2010:0737 vendor-advisory
- USN-972-1 vendor-advisory
- APPLE-SA-2010-11-10-1 vendor-advisory
- [oss-security] 20100806 Re: CVE Request -- FreeType -- Memory corruption flaw by processing certain LWFN fonts + three more mailing-list
- 42317 third-party-advisory
- 40816 third-party-advisory
- http://freetype.sourceforge.net/index2.html#release-freetype-2.4.2
- https://savannah.nongnu.org/bugs/?30656
- 42314 third-party-advisory
- http://sourceforge.net/projects/freetype/files/freetype2/2.4.2/NEWS/view
- RHSA-2010:0864 vendor-advisory
- 40982 third-party-advisory
- ADV-2010-2106 vdb-entry
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=621980
- http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4456
- http://git.savannah.gnu.org/cgit/freetype/freetype2.git/commit/?id=c06da1ad34663da7b6fc39b030dc3ae185b96557
- 42285 vdb-entry
- APPLE-SA-2010-11-22-1 vendor-advisory
- RHSA-2010:0736 vendor-advisory