CVE-2012-2556

The OpenType Font (OTF) driver in the kernel-mode drivers in Microsoft Windows XP SP2 and SP3, Windows Server 2003 SP2, Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008โ€ฆ

published December 12, 2012

CVSS
โ€”
EPSS
21%
Percentile
97.5
In the wild
Unconfirmed
What it is

๐Ÿšจ Crafting a devious OpenType font file is all it takes for attackers to execute arbitrary code on your system! Think of this like a sneaky delivery driver who hands you a package that looks safe but contains something dangerous inside โ€” your computer believes it's a valid font, but it could be carrying harmful instructions instead! If exploited, an attacker could take full control of your machine, leading to data theft, system manipulation, or even a complete shutdown. This vulnerability can turn your trusted system into an unwitting accomplice in a cybercrime!

Put simply

Think of this like a sneaky delivery driver who hands you a package that looks safe but contains something dangerous inside โ€” your computer believes it's a valid font, but it could be carrying harmful instructions instead! This vulnerability resides in the OpenType Font driver, allowing a crafted font file to be parsed incorrectly, enabling remote code execution through the kernel-mode drivers. Essentially, a bad font can exploit the way your system handles it โ€” pretty scary, right?

What to do

If exploited, an attacker could take full control of your machine, leading to data theft, system manipulation, or even a complete shutdown. This vulnerability can turn your trusted system into an unwitting accomplice in a cybercrime! To mitigate this, ensure that your systems are updated to the latest versions of Windows. Applying patches and keeping your software updated is essential to closing any potential gaps. Additionally, consider implementing strict font validation to prevent such malicious files from being processed in the first place! You've got this! Stay vigilant and keep your systems secure. ๐Ÿ›ก๏ธ

The record
Technical detail
CVSS
Not scored
CVSS v4.0
Not supplied
EPSS
0.20766 ยท 97.5th percentile
Published
2012-12-12T00:00Z
EPSS history
Timeline
  • 12 DEC 00:00Z
    The OpenType Font (OTF) driver in the kernel-mode drivers in Microsoft Windows XP SP2 and SP3, Windows Server 2003 SP2, Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008โ€ฆ
    cvelistv5