CVE-2012-2556

CVE-2012-2556 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Microsoft Windows 2003 Server with a CVSS 2.0 base score of 9.3. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score of 21% places it in the 97th percentile, indicating an elevated likelihood of exploitation. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-94.

Key facts

• Severity: Critical (CVSS 2.0 base score 9.3)
• EPSS exploit prediction: 21% (97th percentile)
• Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
• Weakness: CWE-94
• Affected product: Microsoft Windows 2003 Server
• Published: 2012-12-12
• Last modified: 2026-06-16

Description

The OpenType Font (OTF) driver in the kernel-mode drivers in Microsoft Windows XP SP2 and SP3, Windows Server 2003 SP2, Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2, R2, and R2 SP1, Windows 7 Gold and SP1, Windows 8, Windows Server 2012, and Windows RT allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted OpenType font file, aka "OpenType Font Parsing Vulnerability."

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2012-2556?

The OpenType Font (OTF) driver in the kernel-mode drivers in Microsoft Windows XP SP2 and SP3, Windows Server 2003 SP2, Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2, R2, and R2 SP1, Windows 7 Gold and SP1, Windows 8, Windows Server 2012, and Windows RT allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted OpenType font file, aka "OpenType Font Parsing Vulnerability."

How severe is CVE-2012-2556?

CVE-2012-2556 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 9.3, rated critical severity.

Is CVE-2012-2556 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 21% (97th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2012-2556?

CVE-2012-2556 primarily affects Microsoft Windows 2003 Server. In total, 25 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2012-2556?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2012-2556 published?

CVE-2012-2556 was published on 2012-12-12 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

References

• http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA12-346A.html
• https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/securitybulletins/2012/ms12-078
• https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A16067

Affected products (25)

• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_2003_server:*:sp2:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_7:*:*:x64:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_7:*:*:x86:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_7:*:sp1:x64:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_7:*:sp1:x86:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_7:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_7:-:sp1:x64:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_8:-:-:x64:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_8:-:-:x86:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_rt:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2003:*:sp2:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:*:*:itanium:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:*:*:x64:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:*:r2:itanium:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:*:r2:x64:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:*:sp2:itanium:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:*:sp2:x64:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:*:sp2:x86:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:-:sp2:itanium:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:r2:*:itanium:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2008:r2:*:x64:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_server_2012:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_vista:*:sp2:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_xp:*:sp3:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows_xp:-:sp2:x64:*:*:*:*:*

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