CVE-2025-27363

freetype: OOB write when attempting to parse font subglyph structures related to TrueType GX and variable font files

Published Mar 11, 2025 CVSS 3.1 · 8.1 High EPSS 27.8% KEV · Listed
Description
An out of bounds write exists in FreeType versions 2.13.0 and below (newer versions of FreeType are not vulnerable) when attempting to parse font subglyph structures related to TrueType GX and variable font files. The vulnerable code assigns a signed short value to an unsigned long and then adds a static value causing it to wrap around and allocate too small of a heap buffer. The code then writes up to 6 signed long integers out of bounds relative to this buffer. This may result in arbitrary code execution. This vulnerability may have been exploited in the wild.

Analysis

AI-generated

Technical impact

An out-of-bounds write occurs when FreeType 2.13.0 and earlier parse font subglyph structures in TrueType GX and variable font files. The code mistakenly casts a signed short to an unsigned long, which wraps around and allocates a heap buffer that is too small. Up to six signed long integers are then written beyond the buffer’s end, which may allow an attacker to hijack control flow and, based on the description, potentially lead to arbitrary code execution. This is a classic heap overflow (CWE‑787).

Affected Systems

The vulnerability affects FreeType libraries up to and including version 2.13.0. It is bundled with many Linux distributions, including Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 and 9, Red Hat OpenShift 4.12, and various Red Hat support streams. Any application or service that loads TrueType GX or variable font files via FreeType may be exposed.

Risk and Exploitability

With a CVSS score of 8.1 and an EPSS score of 28%, the risk is high. The vulnerability is listed in the CISA KEV catalog, indicating that exploits have been reported in the wild. Based on the description, it is inferred that attackers could deliver specially crafted font files locally or remotely to any application that processes them, potentially leading to remote code execution. Based on the description, it is inferred that the likely attack vector is the input of manipulated font files to a vulnerable process.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record.

OpenCVE Recommended Actions

  • Upgrade FreeType to at least version 2.13.1 or newer.
  • If an update cannot be applied immediately, reinstall the package or apply any vendor‑specific security patches that include an updated FreeType that blocks the vulnerability.
  • Restrict usage of TrueType GX or variable font files by rejecting these file types in applications that load them or by removing them from accessible source directories.
  • Monitor system logs for anomalous memory allocation failures or crashes that may indicate exploitation attempts.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on August 7, 2026 at 14:50 UTC.

Tracking

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Advisories

Source ID Title
Debian DLA Debian DLA DLA-4104-1 freetype security update
Debian DSA Debian DSA DSA-5880-1 freetype security update
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-7352-1 FreeType vulnerability
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-7352-2 FreeType vulnerabilities
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics epss

{'score': 0.70718}

epss

{'score': 0.71538}

Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics epss

{'score': 0.68423}

epss

{'score': 0.70718}

Type Values Removed Values Added
CPEs cpe:/a:redhat:rhel_aus:8.2
Type Values Removed Values Added
CPEs cpe:/a:redhat:enterprise_linux:8
cpe:/a:redhat:rhel_aus:8.4
cpe:/a:redhat:rhel_e4s:8.4
cpe:/a:redhat:rhel_tus:8.4
Type Values Removed Values Added
CPEs cpe:/a:redhat:rhel_aus:8.6
cpe:/a:redhat:rhel_e4s:8.6
cpe:/a:redhat:rhel_eus:8.8
cpe:/a:redhat:rhel_tus:8.6
Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Redhat openshift
CPEs cpe:/a:redhat:openshift:4.12::el8
Vendors & Products Redhat openshift
Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Debian
Debian debian Linux
Freetype
Freetype freetype
CPEs cpe:2.3:a:freetype:freetype:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:11.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Vendors & Products Debian
Debian debian Linux
Freetype
Freetype freetype
Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics kev

{'dateAdded': '2025-05-06'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
References
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'total'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'active', 'Technical Impact': 'total'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Redhat
Redhat enterprise Linux
Redhat rhel Aus
Redhat rhel E4s
Redhat rhel Els
Redhat rhel Eus
Redhat rhel Tus
CPEs cpe:/a:redhat:enterprise_linux:9
cpe:/a:redhat:rhel_e4s:9.0
cpe:/a:redhat:rhel_eus:9.2
cpe:/a:redhat:rhel_eus:9.4
cpe:/o:redhat:enterprise_linux:8
cpe:/o:redhat:enterprise_linux:9
cpe:/o:redhat:rhel_aus:8.2
cpe:/o:redhat:rhel_aus:8.4
cpe:/o:redhat:rhel_aus:8.6
cpe:/o:redhat:rhel_e4s:8.4
cpe:/o:redhat:rhel_e4s:8.6
cpe:/o:redhat:rhel_els:7
cpe:/o:redhat:rhel_eus:8.8
cpe:/o:redhat:rhel_tus:8.4
cpe:/o:redhat:rhel_tus:8.6
Vendors & Products Redhat
Redhat enterprise Linux
Redhat rhel Aus
Redhat rhel E4s
Redhat rhel Els
Redhat rhel Eus
Redhat rhel Tus
Type Values Removed Values Added
Description An out of bounds write exists in FreeType versions 2.13.0 and below when attempting to parse font subglyph structures related to TrueType GX and variable font files. The vulnerable code assigns a signed short value to an unsigned long and then adds a static value causing it to wrap around and allocate too small of a heap buffer. The code then writes up to 6 signed long integers out of bounds relative to this buffer. This may result in arbitrary code execution. This vulnerability may have been exploited in the wild. An out of bounds write exists in FreeType versions 2.13.0 and below (newer versions of FreeType are not vulnerable) when attempting to parse font subglyph structures related to TrueType GX and variable font files. The vulnerable code assigns a signed short value to an unsigned long and then adds a static value causing it to wrap around and allocate too small of a heap buffer. The code then writes up to 6 signed long integers out of bounds relative to this buffer. This may result in arbitrary code execution. This vulnerability may have been exploited in the wild.
Type Values Removed Values Added
Title freetype: OOB write when attempting to parse font subglyph structures related to TrueType GX and variable font files
References
Metrics threat_severity

None

threat_severity

Important

Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-787
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'total'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description An out of bounds write exists in FreeType versions 2.13.0 and below when attempting to parse font subglyph structures related to TrueType GX and variable font files. The vulnerable code assigns a signed short value to an unsigned long and then adds a static value causing it to wrap around and allocate too small of a heap buffer. The code then writes up to 6 signed long integers out of bounds relative to this buffer. This may result in arbitrary code execution. This vulnerability may have been exploited in the wild.
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 8.1, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:F/RL:O/RC:C/CR:H/IR:H/AR:H/MAV:N/MAC:L/MPR:N/MUI:N/MS:U/MC:H/MI:H/MA:H'}

Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
facebook
Published
Updated
Apr 19, 2026, 10:08 PM
Reserved
Feb 21, 2025, 7:53 PM
Status
Analyzed
Published
Mar 11, 2025, 2:15 PM
Modified
Jun 17, 2026, 9:03 AM
Severity
Important
Public date
Mar 11, 2025, 1:28 PM