CVE-2017-13720

Name: CVE-2017-13720
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2017-10-11T17:29:00.303+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

UnknownEPSS 0.44%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2017-13720 is a vulnerability of currently unknown severity. In the PatternMatch function in fontfile/fontdir.c in libXfont through 1.5.2 and 2.x before 2.0.2, an attacker with access to an X connection can cause a buffer over-read during pattern matching of fonts, leading to information disclosure or a crash (denial of service). This occurs because '\0' characters are incorrectly skipped in situations involving ? characters.. EPSS estimates a 0.44% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

In the PatternMatch function in fontfile/fontdir.c in libXfont through 1.5.2 and 2.x before 2.0.2, an attacker with access to an X connection can cause a buffer over-read during pattern matching of fonts, leading to information disclosure or a crash (denial of service). This occurs because '\0' characters are incorrectly skipped in situations involving ? characters.

Metrics

EPSS Probability

0.44%

35.3th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-125

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
X.Org	Libxfont	<= 1.5.2
X.Org	Libxfont	2.0.0
X.Org	Libxfont	2.0.1

References

http://www.debian.org/security/2017/dsa-3995
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1500690Issue Tracking, Third Party Advisory
https://bugzilla.suse.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1054285Issue Tracking, Third Party Advisory
https://cgit.freedesktop.org/xorg/lib/libXfont/commit/?id=d1e670a4a8704b8708e493ab6155589bcd570608Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201711-08
https://www.x.org/releases/individual/lib/libXfont2-2.0.2.tar.bz2Vendor Advisory
http://www.debian.org/security/2017/dsa-3995
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1500690Issue Tracking, Third Party Advisory
https://bugzilla.suse.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1054285Issue Tracking, Third Party Advisory
https://cgit.freedesktop.org/xorg/lib/libXfont/commit/?id=d1e670a4a8704b8708e493ab6155589bcd570608Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201711-08
https://www.x.org/releases/individual/lib/libXfont2-2.0.2.tar.bz2Vendor Advisory

Timeline

Published: Oct 11, 2017
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2017-13720?

How severe is CVE-2017-13720?

Severity scoring for CVE-2017-13720 is pending analysis. The EPSS model estimates a 0.44% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2017-13720?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

Are you affected by CVE-2017-13720?

Run a free Strix scan to check your systems for this vulnerability.

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST