CVE-2010-1797freetype Memory Corruption
Multiple stack-based buffer overflows in the cff_decoder_parse_charstrings function in the CFF Type2 CharStrings interpreter in cff/cffgload.c in FreeType before 2.4.2, as used in Apple iOS before 4.0.2 on the iPhone and iPod touch and before 3.2.2 on the iPad, allow remote…
Published Aug 16, 2010 · Updated Aug 4, 2026 · Also known as DEBIAN-CVE-2010-1797, DSA-2105-1
Key Facts
Patch immediately- CVE-2010-1797 is a critical-severity vulnerability (CVSS 9.3 v2) affecting Iphone OS (Apple), freetype (debian), rootio-freetype and 2 more products.
- It is exploited in the wild, listed in Industry KEV feed since Aug 5, 2010. Public exploit code is available.
- EPSS estimates a 31% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- Fixed versions are available, including freetype 0:2.1.4-16.el3, freetype 0:2.1.9-15.el4.8, freetype 0:2.2.1-26.el5_5.
- Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
Scores
CVSS v2
9.3
AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C
EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)
31%
Higher than 98.2% of all scored CVEs
Exploit maturity
Proof of concept
ATLAS score
53/100
Publication score, see How it works
Exploitation Verdict
KEV listed
Aug 5, 2010
Federal due date
None
No federal due date
Ransomware use
Not reported
Attributed actors
None named
Exploit & Defence Guidance
Exploit maturity
Proof of concept
Public exploit code
3
Proof-of-concept links
In-the-wild evidence
2
Reports of active use
Advisories And Exploit References
- advisoryhttps://security-tracker.debian.org/tracker/CVE-2010-1797
- advisoryAPPLE-SA-2010-08-11-2
- advisoryRHSA-2010:0607
- advisory40807
- advisory40816
- advisory40982
Description
Multiple stack-based buffer overflows in the cff_decoder_parse_charstrings function in the CFF Type2 CharStrings interpreter in cff/cffgload.c in FreeType before 2.4.2, as used in Apple iOS before 4.0.2 on the iPhone and iPod touch and before 3.2.2 on the iPad, allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via crafted CFF opcodes in embedded fonts in a PDF document, as demonstrated by JailbreakMe.
NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
Known-Exploited Catalog Listings
| Catalog | Added | Remediation due | Ransomware use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Industry KEV feed | Aug 5, 2010 | n/a | Not reported |
Affected Products
83 affected entries in total| Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| Iphone OSApple | 1.0.0, 1.0.1, 1.0.2, 1.1.0, 1.1.1, 1.1.2, 1.1.3, 1.1.4 | n/a |
| freetypedebian | See advisory | 2.4.2-1 |
| rootio-freetyperootio | See advisory | 2.4.2-1 |
| freetype-demosoracle | See advisory | 2.2.1-26.el5_5 |
| freetype-develoracle | See advisory | 2.2.1-26.el5_5 |
Patched Releases
freetype
0:2.1.4-16.el3, 0:2.1.9-15.el4.8, 0:2.2.1-26.el5_5, 2.2.1-26.el5_5, 2.3.7-2+lenny3, 2.4.2-1
freetype-demos
2.2.1-26.el5_5
freetype-devel
2.2.1-26.el5_5
rootio-freetype
2.4.2-1
Timeline
Added to Industry KEV feed
Aug 5, 2010
Publicly disclosed
Aug 16, 2010
Last updated
Aug 4, 2026
Weakness Type
- CWE-119 Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer
References
- advisorysecurity-tracker.debian.org · CVE-2010-1797
- advisoryAPPLE-SA-2010-08-11-2
- advisoryRHSA-2010:0607
- advisory40807
- advisory40816
FAQ
Common Questions.
Multiple stack-based buffer overflows in the cff_decoder_parse_charstrings function in the CFF Type2 CharStrings interpreter in cff/cffgload.c in FreeType before 2.4.2, as used in Apple iOS before 4.0.2 on the iPhone and iPod touch and before 3.2.2 on the iPad, allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause…
Affected: Iphone OS (Apple) versions 1.0.0, 1.0.1, 1.0.2, 1.1.0, 1.1.1, 1.1.2, 1.1.3, 1.1.4; freetype (debian); rootio-freetype, among others. The full list is in the CVE brief.
It is exploited in the wild, listed in Industry KEV feed since Aug 5, 2010.
No, it is not currently listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.
Public exploit code is available.
Fixed versions are available, including freetype 0:2.1.4-16.el3, freetype 0:2.1.9-15.el4.8, freetype 0:2.2.1-26.el5_5.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
Is CVE-2010-1797 On Your Attack Surface?
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