CVE-2002-1287 in Java Virtual Machine
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in the Microsoft Java implementation, as used in Internet Explorer, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service via a long class name through (1) Class.forName or (2) ClassLoader.loadClass.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/25/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-1287 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow within Microsoft's Java Virtual Machine implementation that was integrated into Internet Explorer. This flaw specifically targets the handling of class names during Java applet execution, creating a remote code execution vector that could be exploited by malicious actors to disrupt system operations. The vulnerability manifests when the Java runtime processes class names that exceed predetermined buffer limits, leading to memory corruption that can result in application crashes or system instability.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the Java class loading mechanisms of Microsoft's JVM. When Internet Explorer encounters Java applets, it utilizes Microsoft's proprietary Java implementation to execute the bytecode, and this implementation fails to properly bounds-check class names during the Class.forName or ClassLoader.loadClass operations. The buffer overflow occurs because the system allocates a fixed-size stack buffer to store class name information, but does not verify that incoming class names exceed this predetermined limit, allowing attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations and potentially execute arbitrary code.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to enterprise environments where Internet Explorer was commonly used as the primary browser for accessing internal applications. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers could craft malicious web pages containing overly long class names that would trigger the buffer overflow when loaded in a victim's browser, resulting in denial of service conditions that could disrupt business operations. Organizations relying on Java applets for business-critical applications faced potential system compromise, as the overflow could be leveraged to execute malicious code within the browser context and potentially escalate privileges.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with attack patterns found in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the technique of "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation" and "Execution through System Services." Organizations implementing Microsoft Internet Explorer with Java support were particularly vulnerable, as the default configuration enabled Java applet execution without adequate sandboxing controls. The flaw also highlights the broader security implications of proprietary Java implementations that deviate from standard JVM specifications, creating unique attack surfaces that differ from those found in Oracle's reference implementation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability required immediate patching of affected Microsoft Internet Explorer versions, along with disabling Java applet execution in browser settings when not explicitly required for business operations. Security administrators should have implemented network-based controls to filter out potentially malicious Java content and established monitoring procedures to detect anomalous class loading patterns. The incident underscored the importance of maintaining updated browser security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies that minimize the attack surface by restricting the execution of potentially malicious code within browser environments. Organizations were advised to transition away from Java applet-based applications toward more secure modern web technologies that do not rely on browser-based Java execution environments.