CVE-2022-31782
📋 TL;DR
CVE-2022-31782 is a heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability in ftbench.c within FreeType demo programs. This vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause denial of service by exploiting improper memory operations. It affects systems running FreeType demo programs up to version 2.12.1.
💻 Affected Systems
- FreeType Demo Programs
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Remote code execution with the privileges of the FreeType demo program process, potentially leading to full system compromise.
Likely Case
Application crash (denial of service) or limited code execution within the demo program's context.
If Mitigated
Application crash with no further impact if proper memory protections (ASLR, DEP) are enabled.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires local access or ability to trigger the vulnerable demo program. Proof of concept exists in the GitLab issue.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: FreeType demo programs after 2.12.1
Vendor Advisory: https://gitlab.freedesktop.org/freetype/freetype-demos/-/issues/8
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Update FreeType demo programs to latest version. 2. Remove demo programs if not needed. 3. Recompile any custom builds with patched source.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Remove demo programs
linuxUninstall FreeType demo programs if they are not required for functionality.
sudo apt remove freetype2-demos
sudo yum remove freetype-demos
Remove via package manager appropriate to your distribution
Restrict execution permissions
linuxRemove execute permissions from ftbench and other demo binaries.
sudo chmod -x /usr/bin/ftbench
sudo chmod -x /usr/local/bin/ftbench
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict access controls to prevent unauthorized users from executing demo programs.
- Deploy security controls like SELinux/AppArmor to restrict demo program capabilities.
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check if ftbench or other FreeType demo programs are installed and their version.Check Version:
ftbench --version 2>&1 | head -1Verify Fix Applied:
Verify demo programs are removed or updated to version after 2.12.1.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Segmentation fault or abnormal termination of ftbench process
- Memory access violation logs
Network Indicators:
- None - this is a local vulnerability
SIEM Query:
Process execution: ftbench OR freetype-demo