# OSV-2018-172: UNKNOWN READ in _hb_ot_shape_fallback_kern

> An unknown read vulnerability in HarfBuzz's kerning fallback function can cause a crash, potentially leading to denial of service.

- **Severity:** Not scored
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Not stated
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 13 Jan 2021

## What is OSV-2018-172?

OSV-2018-172 is a memory corruption vulnerability in harfbuzz, published on 13 Jan 2021. 

### Official description

OSS-Fuzz report: https://bugs.chromium.org/p/oss-fuzz/issues/detail?id=10762

```
Crash type: UNKNOWN READ
Crash state:
_hb_ot_shape_fallback_kern
hb_ot_position
hb_ot_shape_internal
```

## Which versions are affected by OSV-2018-172?

1 open source package ship an affected version, including harfbuzz.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `harfbuzz` | OSS-Fuzz | All versions | None |

## How do I fix OSV-2018-172?

No fix has been published for OSV-2018-172 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is OSV-2018-172 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of OSV-2018-172 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for OSV-2018-172 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: OSV-2018-172 is a memory corruption vulnerability in harfbuzz, published on 13 Jan 2021. 
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of OSV-2018-172 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- harfbuzz (OSS-Fuzz): affected all versions; no fix listed

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/OSV-2018-172/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/OSV-2018-172/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/OSV-2018-172

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/OSV-2018-172/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.