FreeType Vulnerability Actively Exploited for Arbitrary Code Execution

A significant vulnerability has been identified in the FreeType library, a widely used open-source font rendering engine.

This vulnerability tracked as CVE-2025-27363, is being actively exploited and may lead to arbitrary code execution on affected systems.

Overview of the Vulnerability:

The vulnerability exists in FreeType versions 2.13.0 and below, specifically when the library attempts to parse font subglyph structures related to TrueType GX and variable font files.

The underlying issue arises from the assignment of a signed short value to an unsigned long, followed by the addition of a static value.

This operation can cause the value to wrap around, resulting in the allocation of a heap buffer that is too small for the subsequent operations.

Consequently, up to six signed long integers are written out of bounds relative to this buffer.

This out-of-bounds write can potentially result in arbitrary code execution, making it a critical vulnerability that could be exploited by malicious actors to execute unauthorized code on vulnerable systems, as reported by Facebook.

If successfully exploited, this could lead to significant security breaches and data compromises.

Affected Version:

Here is a table summarizing the affected product information for the CVE-2025-27363 vulnerability.

I’ve included a link to the CVE, though note that since this is a hypothetical or example CVE, it may not have an actual entry on the official CVE database yet.

Product	Affected Versions	CVE Link
FreeType	0.0.0 through 2.13.0	CVE-2025-27363

Recommendations:

1. Update FreeType Library: Ensure that your system or application is using a version of FreeType above 2.13.0.
2. Monitor for Suspicious Activity: Keep an eye out for unusual system behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts.
3. Implement Additional Security Measures: Use firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and other security tools to enhance system defenses.

The CVE-2025-27363 vulnerability represents a significant threat to the security of systems running affected versions of the FreeType library.

Prompt action is necessary to prevent exploitation and protect against potential security breaches. Users are advised to update to a secure version of FreeType as soon as possible to mitigate this risk.

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