# CVE-2026-58822: FreeType ftsmooth memory safety issue in casting

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-58822-freetype-ftsmooth-memory-safety-issue-in-casting  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-09-08. Updated: 2026-09-26  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-58822 · Severity: critical · CVSS 9.8 · Published 2026-09-08

FreeType is a widely-used library for rendering fonts in applications, including Android and many desktop systems. A memory safety vulnerability in the font smoothing code can be exploited remotely to execute arbitrary code without requiring user interaction or special privileges, potentially compromising any system that processes untrusted font files.

Technologies: [Google Android](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/android). Vendors: [Google](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/google).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-58822 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-58822 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-58822?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 9.8, published 8 September 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Google Android before 2026-09-05 security patch level (Android 14, 15, 16, 16-qpr2, 17 affected).

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-58822?** A patch was published on 2026-09-05: Android security patch level 2026-09-05 and later address this vulnerability Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-58822 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a software library.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-58822?** Check whether you run Google Android at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## Technical details

The vulnerability exists in multiple functions of ftsmooth.c in FreeType, where improper type casting creates a memory safety issue. This flaw allows an attacker to trigger remote code execution by supplying a specially crafted font file. No user interaction or elevated privileges are required for exploitation; simply processing the malicious font can trigger the vulnerability. The attack vector is network-based (via font file distribution or embedding), and the vulnerability affects FreeType library versions used across Android and other systems. Patches are available through Android security updates (2026-09-05 patch level and later) and corresponding FreeType releases.

## Affected products

- The FreeType Project FreeType <UNKNOWN>
- Google Android before 2026-09-05 security patch level (Android 14, 15, 16, 16-qpr2, 17 affected)

## Timeline

- 2026-09-08: disclosed: CVE-2026-58822 published in NVD; Android Security Bulletin published
- 2026-09-05: patched: Android security patch level 2026-09-05 and later address this vulnerability

## References

- [https://source.android.com/docs/security/bulletin/2026/2026-09-01](https://source.android.com/docs/security/bulletin/2026/2026-09-01)

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