CVE-2002-2248 in Communicator
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the sun.awt.windows.WDefaultFontCharset Java class implementation in Netscape 4.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via an applet that calls the WDefaultFontCharset constructor with a long string and invokes the canConvert method.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/12/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2002-2248 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the Java implementation of Netscape 4.0 browser, specifically within the sun.awt.windows.WDefaultFontCharset class. This issue arises from inadequate input validation and memory management practices in the Java runtime environment's handling of font charset operations on windows platforms. The vulnerability manifests when an applet attempts to instantiate the WDefaultFontCharset constructor with an excessively long string parameter, followed by invocation of the canConvert method, which triggers the exploitable buffer overflow condition.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the improper bounds checking within the Java class implementation, where the application fails to validate the length of input strings before processing them through the font conversion routines. This particular flaw falls under the CWE-121 buffer overflow category, specifically categorized as a stack-based buffer overflow due to the nature of the Java class implementation and the memory layout of the affected components. The vulnerability exists in the Windows-specific implementation of the Java AWT (Abstract Window Toolkit) components, making it particularly dangerous in environments where Netscape 4.0 is deployed with Java applet support enabled.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it provides remote attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. When a malicious applet is loaded and executed within a vulnerable Netscape 4.0 browser instance, the buffer overflow can be leveraged to overwrite critical memory segments including return addresses and function pointers, potentially allowing attackers to redirect program execution flow. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter usage, as attackers can craft malicious applets that exploit the buffer overflow to execute malicious payloads. The vulnerability's exploitability is further enhanced by the fact that it requires no user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website, making it particularly dangerous in phishing scenarios.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-2248 should focus on immediate remediation through software updates and patches provided by Netscape, as well as network-level defenses to prevent access to malicious content. Organizations should disable Java applet support in browsers where possible, implement network firewalls to block access to known malicious domains, and deploy intrusion detection systems that can identify attempts to exploit this specific buffer overflow pattern. Additionally, security administrators should consider implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of untrusted Java applets and regularly audit browser configurations to ensure that vulnerable components are not enabled. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper input validation and memory management practices in Java applications, particularly when dealing with platform-specific implementations that may introduce additional attack surface areas.