Description
The (1) t1_parse_font_matrix function in type1/t1load.c, (2) cid_parse_font_matrix function in cid/cidload.c, (3) t42_parse_font_matrix function in type42/t42parse.c, and (4) ps_parser_load_field function in psaux/psobjs.c in FreeType before 2.5.4 do not check return values, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (uninitialized memory access and application crash) or possibly have unspecified other impact via a crafted font.
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 | — |
Advisories 2
- 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
References
- [oss-security] 20150911 CVE Request: 2 FreeType issues mailing-list
- http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpujul2018-4258247.html
- http://git.savannah.gnu.org/cgit/freetype/freetype2.git/commit/?id=8b281f83e8516535756f92dbf90940ac44bd45e1
- [oss-security] 20150925 Re: CVE Request: 2 FreeType issues mailing-list
- https://savannah.nongnu.org/bugs/?41309
- DSA-3370 vendor-advisory