Description
The parse_encoding function in type1/t1load.c in FreeType before 2.5.3 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (infinite loop) via a "broken number-with-base" in a Postscript stream, as demonstrated by 8#garbage.
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 | 2.6-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | freetype | 2.6-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | freetype | 2.6-1 | — |
| Debian 8 | freetype | 2.5.2-3+deb8u1 | DSA-3370-1 |
| Debian 7 | freetype | 2.4.9-1.1+deb7u2 | DSA-3370-1 |
Show 1 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian 6.0 | freetype | 2.4.2-2.1+squeeze6 | DLA-319-1 |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 14.04 LTS | freetype | 2.5.2-1ubuntu2.5 | USN-2739-1 |
SUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES 11 SP4 | ft2demos +1 | 2.3.7-25.41.4 | SUSE-SU-2016:1149-1 |
Show 1 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES for SAP 11 SP4 | ft2demos +1 | 2.3.7-25.41.4 | SUSE-SU-2016:1149-1 |
Advisories 4
- USN-2739-1 freetype vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Apr 22, 2026
- DLA-319-1 freetype - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- DSA-3370-1 freetype - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2016:1149-1 Security update for freetype2 SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
References
- USN-2739-1 vendor-advisory
- openSUSE-SU-2015:1704 vendor-advisory
- http://git.savannah.gnu.org/cgit/freetype/freetype2.git/commit/?id=df14e6c0b9592cbb24d5381dfc6106b14f915e75
- 76727 vdb-entry
- http://savannah.nongnu.org/bugs/index.php?41590
- https://code.google.com/p/chromium/issues/detail?id=459050
- DSA-3370 vendor-advisory
- https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/freetype/+bug/1492124
- 1033536 vdb-entry