CVE-2011-3256
Description
A memory corruption vulnerability in FreeType 2 before 2.4.7 allows arbitrary code execution or denial of service via a crafted font.
AI Insight
LLM-synthesized narrative grounded in this CVE's description and references.
A memory corruption vulnerability in FreeType 2 before 2.4.7 allows arbitrary code execution or denial of service via a crafted font.
Vulnerability
FreeType 2 versions before 2.4.7 contain a memory corruption vulnerability in the font parsing engine. The flaw is triggered when processing a specially crafted font file. This issue is distinct from CVE-2011-0226 and affects CoreGraphics in Apple iOS before 5, Mandriva Enterprise Server 5, and other products that bundle FreeType [1][2][3].
Exploitation
An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by delivering a malicious font to the target system. This typically requires user interaction, such as viewing a document, visiting a web page, or receiving a message that renders the crafted font. No special network position or authentication is needed beyond the means to deliver the font to the application [1][2].
Impact
Successful exploitation results in memory corruption, which can lead to arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the affected application, or a denial of service (crash). In the context of iOS, this could allow remote code execution on the device [1][2].
Mitigation
Apple addressed this issue in iOS 5 (published October 12, 2011) and later in OS X Lion v10.7.3 and Security Update 2012-001 (released February 1, 2012) [1][2]. FreeType upstream released version 2.4.7 on October 18, 2011 to fix the vulnerability [3]. Users should update to these patched versions or apply vendor-specific updates.
AI Insight generated on May 24, 2026. Synthesized from this CVE's description and the cited reference URLs; citations are validated against the source bundle.
Affected products
31cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:3.0:-:iphone:*:*:*:*:*+ 28 more
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:3.0:-:iphone:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:3.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:3.1.2:-:iphone:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:3.1.3:-:iphone:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:3.1:-:iphone:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:3.1:-:ipodtouch:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:3.2.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:3.2.1:-:ipad:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:3.2.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:3.2:-:iphone:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:3.2:-:ipodtouch:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:4.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:4.0.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:4.0.1:-:iphone:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:4.0.1:-:ipodtouch:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:4.0.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:4.0:-:iphone:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:4.0:-:ipodtouch:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:4.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:4.2.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:4.2.5:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:4.2.8:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:4.3.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:4.3.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:4.3.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:4.3.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:4.3.5:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:4.3.5:-:ipad:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:apple:iphone_os:4.3.5:-:ipodtouch:*:*:*:*:*
Patches
0No patches discovered yet.
Vulnerability mechanics
AI mechanics synthesis has not run for this CVE yet.
References
14- lists.apple.com/archives/Security-announce/2011//Oct/msg00001.htmlnvdVendor Advisory
- support.apple.com/kb/HT4999nvdVendor Advisory
- lists.apple.com/archives/security-announce/2012/Feb/msg00000.htmlnvd
- lists.fedoraproject.org/pipermail/package-announce/2011-November/069100.htmlnvd
- lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2011-12/msg00008.htmlnvd
- lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2012-01/msg00003.htmlnvd
- lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2012-01/msg00012.htmlnvd
- secunia.com/advisories/48951nvd
- support.apple.com/kb/HT5130nvd
- www.debian.org/security/2011/dsa-2328nvd
- www.mandriva.com/security/advisoriesnvd
- www.securityfocus.com/bid/50155nvd
- exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/70552nvd
- sourceforge.net/projects/freetype/files/freetype2/2.4.7/README/viewnvd
News mentions
0No linked articles in our index yet.