CVE-2024-25082 is a command injection vulnerability identified in the Splinefont component of FontForge, an open-source font editor widely used for creating and modifying font files. The vulnerability exists in the way FontForge processes archives or compressed files containing splinefont data. Specifically, an attacker can craft malicious archives that, when opened or processed by vulnerable versions of FontForge (up to 20230101), trigger the execution of arbitrary system commands. This occurs due to improper sanitization of input data leading to command injection (CWE-77). The vulnerability is remotely exploitable without requiring authentication or user interaction, as the attacker only needs to supply a malicious archive to the target system running FontForge. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 6.5, indicating a medium severity level, with attack vector network (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), and no user interaction (UI:N). The impact affects confidentiality and integrity but not availability. No patches or fixes are currently linked, and no known exploits have been reported in the wild. However, the flaw represents a significant risk to environments where FontForge is used to process untrusted font files, potentially allowing attackers to execute arbitrary commands and compromise system security.

For European organizations, this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized command execution on systems running vulnerable versions of FontForge, potentially exposing sensitive data or allowing attackers to manipulate or exfiltrate font files and related intellectual property. Industries such as graphic design, publishing, software development, and digital content creation that rely on FontForge are particularly at risk. The compromise of these systems could disrupt workflows, lead to data breaches, or serve as a foothold for further network intrusion. Since the vulnerability does not require user interaction or authentication, attackers could exploit it remotely by tricking users or automated systems into opening malicious font archives. This elevates the risk of supply chain attacks or targeted intrusions against European creative and software sectors. The impact on confidentiality and integrity could also affect compliance with data protection regulations such as GDPR if personal or proprietary data is exposed or altered.

To mitigate this vulnerability, European organizations should immediately audit their use of FontForge and identify any systems running versions up to 20230101. Until an official patch is released, organizations should avoid opening or processing font archives from untrusted or unknown sources. Implement strict input validation and sandboxing when handling font files to limit potential command execution. Employ network segmentation to isolate systems used for font processing from critical infrastructure. Monitor logs for unusual command execution or file processing activities related to FontForge. Additionally, consider using alternative font editing tools that are not affected by this vulnerability. Stay informed about updates from FontForge developers and apply security patches promptly once available. Incorporate this vulnerability into vulnerability management and incident response plans to ensure rapid detection and remediation.