CVE-2022-35045 is a heap buffer overflow vulnerability identified in a specific commit (617837b) of the OTFCC project, specifically triggered via the otfccdump binary at the offset +0x6b0d63. OTFCC (OpenType Font C Compiler) is a tool used for compiling and dumping OpenType font files, which are widely used in various software and operating systems for font rendering. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-787, indicating a heap-based buffer overflow, which occurs when a program writes more data to a buffer located on the heap than it is allocated to hold. This can lead to memory corruption, crashes, or potentially arbitrary code execution. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.5 (medium severity) with the vector AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H, meaning the vulnerability is remotely exploitable over the network without privileges but requires user interaction, does not impact confidentiality or integrity, but results in a high impact on availability (e.g., denial of service). No specific vendor or product version details are provided, and no patches or known exploits in the wild have been reported as of the published date (October 14, 2022). The lack of detailed product/version information suggests this vulnerability affects the OTFCC tool itself or software components that incorporate it. Since otfccdump is a command-line utility, exploitation would likely require a user to process a maliciously crafted font file, triggering the heap overflow during font parsing or dumping operations.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2022-35045 lies in potential denial-of-service conditions when processing malicious OpenType font files using the vulnerable OTFCC tool or related software components. Organizations involved in font development, graphic design, publishing, or software development that utilize OTFCC or integrate it into their toolchains may face operational disruptions. Additionally, if the vulnerable component is embedded in larger software products used in enterprise environments, attackers could craft malicious font files to disrupt services or crash applications, impacting availability. Although no direct confidentiality or integrity impact is indicated, denial of service could affect critical workflows, especially in sectors reliant on automated font processing or rendering pipelines. The requirement for user interaction (e.g., opening or processing a malicious font file) limits the risk of widespread automated exploitation but does not eliminate targeted attacks. European organizations should be aware that font files are commonly exchanged via email, web downloads, or third-party content, making social engineering a plausible attack vector. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk but does not preclude future exploitation attempts.

1. Identify and inventory all instances where OTFCC or related font processing tools are used within the organization, including development environments and production systems. 2. Avoid processing untrusted or unsolicited OpenType font files, especially from unknown or unverified sources. 3. Monitor for updates or patches from the OTFCC project or related vendors; apply them promptly once available. 4. Implement application whitelisting and sandboxing for tools that handle font files to limit the impact of potential crashes or exploits. 5. Employ endpoint protection solutions capable of detecting anomalous behavior or crashes related to font processing utilities. 6. Educate users about the risks of opening font files from untrusted sources and enforce strict email and web content filtering policies to reduce exposure. 7. If feasible, replace or supplement OTFCC with alternative font processing tools that have no known vulnerabilities or better security track records. 8. Conduct regular security assessments and fuzz testing on font processing components to proactively identify similar vulnerabilities.