Font Problems in Vista after Windows Update KB3013455

Ed_Jogg

On 10th Feb, Microsoft released an important Security Update KB3013455.
It was installed automatically by Windows Update, but it causes problems with display of (True Type) fonts.

Applies to systems running Vista SP2 and Windows Server 2003/2008 SP2.

Microsoft have now released a second update (KB3037639) that fixes the font problem. It can be installed manually, but you do need BOTH updates installed.
See this new Bleeping Computer thread for instructions.



============================================
This was my updated posting before the fix was known:

A workaround is to uninstall the update,
as described in this 'Bleeping Computer' thread.

Note that uninstalling update KB3013455 will leave your PC vulnerable to the security hole that Microsoft attempted to fix, and consequently it is very likely that this exploit will be targeted by those wishing you harm.

A safer alternative, if you can live with the slightly funny text, is to leave the update installed and use the zoom facility on the application or browser to make the fonts look bigger. The effect is less noticeable then.

Microsoft is investigating the problem (they call it "text quality degradation") -- see MS15-010 where MS promise to publish updates when more is known.
As of 14th Feb, no fix has been announced.

Also see:
-- BleepingComputer forum question thread (Vista)(also linked above)
-- MS TechNet thread (Server 2008)
-- WindowsITPro article about 'Patch Tuesday' and this issue in particular

gunte

Security Update for WEPOS and POSReady 2009 (KB3013455) caused no problems for XP here.

cajef

No problems on this laptop running Vista SP2 after downloading updates today.

GiXeR_Mark

Yup I had the problem on Vista sp2 Fonts were all screwed! I also had a BSD on reboot so I used system restore and am waiting to confirm that it is (KB3013455) That causes the issue.

Dave01

I was wondering why everything was looking odd, so I've Googled it and ended up on this thread. I thought at first maybe it was a Firefox issue but then noticed the fonts in Excel had changed too. Very strange, and some of the web fonts are almost un-readable. This machine is on Windows Vista SP2.

Crabman

Having similar problems with a Vista PC here.

Known issues with this security update

• After you install security update 3013455, you may notice some text quality degradation in certain scenarios. The problem occurs on computers that are running the following operating systems:
  • Windows Server 2008 SP2
  • Windows Server 2003 SP2
  • Windows Vista SP2
• Microsoft is researching this problem and will post more information in this article when the information becomes available.

Surprising that Microsoft haven't already fixed the problem...

Ed_Jogg

Crabman wrote: »

Surprising that Microsoft haven't already fixed the problem...

A little. But the modified file is Win32k.sys, which is pretty fundamental to Windows, so MS should not be expected to release a revised update until they have proved it safe.

Spiral1900

Thanks for flagging this up. Same problem on Vista SP2.

Crabman

I spoke with Microsoft and was told that removing the update would resolve the issue:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/remove-update#1TC=windows-vista

Edited to add - I have removed this update and it has resolved the issues.

gunte

Crabman wrote: »

I spoke with Microsoft and was told that removing the update would resolve the issue:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/remove-update#1TC=windows-vista

Edited to add - I have removed this update and it has resolved the issues.

But left yourself open to one publicly disclosed and five privately reported vulnerabilities in Microsoft Windows. The most severe of the vulnerabilities could allow remote code execution if an attacker convinces a user to open a specially crafted document or visit an untrusted website that contains embedded TrueType fonts.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/3013455

happyhero

Ed_Jogg wrote: »

Not seen anyone report this here...maybe everyone is on Windows7 or later?

Anyway...

Yesterday, Microsoft released a Security Bulletin leading to update KB3013455 being applied by Windows Update.
This has had an adverse affect on how (True Type) fonts are displayed on screen.
Mainly applies to systems running Vista SP2 and Windows Server 2003/2008 SP2.

If you can live with the security vulnerability, simply uninstalling update KB3013455 should restore the fonts.
If, like me, you prefer to have the security holes patched, try increasing the font size using a zoom facility in whatever application/browser you are using. That should help.

Microsoft is investigating the problem (they call it "text quality degradation") -- see MS15-010 where MS promise to publish updates when more is known.

Also see:
-- BleepingComputer forum question thread (Vista)
-- MS TechNet thread (Server 2008)
-- WindowsITPro article about 'Patch Tuesday'

You're links help to easily remove the problem but I keep getting updated again so that the problem comes back, can't I stop it completely?

I'm sure others have experienced this too.