The popular fonts used in web development and design can be exploited to launch XML External Entity (XXE) attacks and execute arbitrary commands.
These vulnerabilities, identified as CVE-2023-45139, CVE-2024-25081, and CVE-2024-25082, pose a significant threat, allowing for XML External Entity (XXE) attacks and arbitrary command execution.
This poses a significant security risk to users and organizations using these fonts.
This discovery underscores the often-overlooked security risks associated with font rendering in software applications and operating systems.
CVE-2023-45139 highlights a critical vulnerability in FontTools, a versatile Python library for font manipulation, particularly in handling SVG tables in OpenType fonts.
This flaw stems from the library’s use of the LXML XML parser, which resolves external entities by default. Attackers could exploit this by crafting malicious XML content within SVG tables, leading to an XML External Entity (XXE) attack.
This vulnerability was demonstrated through a proof of concept where the /etc/passwd file could be embedded within a font file, potentially exposing sensitive system information.
The issue was responsibly disclosed to the FontTools maintainers, who promptly addressed it by disabling entity resolution in the XML parser. This fix was released in a subsequent update, mitigating the risk posed by this vulnerability.
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Canva has identified specific vulnerabilities that arise while exploring font processing tools.
The study sheds light on the possible security threats and demonstrates how these issues can manifest in such tools.
Marked by its capacity to allow XXE attacks, CVE-2024-25081 opens the door for attackers to interfere with the processing of XML data.
Through such attacks, perpetrators can cause denial of service, perform unauthorized operations, or even access sensitive information by referencing external entities within a compromised XML document.
Similar to CVE-2024-25081, this vulnerability also facilitates XXE attacks. However, it distinguishes itself through the specific mechanisms and contexts in which it can be exploited, offering attackers another avenue to manipulate XML processing for nefarious purposes.
The vulnerabilities directly impact the security of popular fonts, as they exploit weaknesses in the font rendering processes used by numerous software applications and operating systems.
Fonts, an integral part of digital aesthetics, are ubiquitous in digital environments, making this issue particularly pervasive.
The affected systems span a wide range, from web browsers and document readers to operating systems that rely on font-rendering engines to display text.
As the digital world continues to evolve, so do the challenges of maintaining security and privacy.
All stakeholders must remain vigilant, informed, and prepared to act against threats arising from unexpected quarters.
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