CVE-2009-1101 in JRE
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the lightweight HTTP server implementation in Java SE Development Kit (JDK) and Java Runtime Environment (JRE) 6 Update 12 and earlier allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (probably resource consumption) for a JAX-WS service endpoint via a connection without any data, which triggers a file descriptor "leak."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/09/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-1101 represents a critical flaw in the lightweight HTTP server implementation within Oracle Java SE Development Kit and Java Runtime Environment versions 6 Update 12 and earlier. This issue manifests as an unspecified vulnerability that specifically targets the JAX-WS service endpoint functionality, creating a potential vector for remote attackers to disrupt system operations. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of network connections within the embedded HTTP server component that is integrated into the Java runtime environment, particularly affecting applications that utilize the Java Architecture for XML Web Services for web service implementations.
The technical nature of this vulnerability involves a file descriptor leak that occurs when connections are established to the JAX-WS endpoint but contain no actual data transmission. This particular scenario triggers a resource management issue where the HTTP server fails to properly close or release file descriptors associated with these empty connections. The flaw essentially allows malicious actors to continuously establish these zero-data connections without proper cleanup, leading to progressive consumption of available file descriptors and system resources. This type of resource exhaustion attack falls under the category of denial of service vulnerabilities, specifically targeting system resource management mechanisms within the Java runtime environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as it can potentially render JAX-WS endpoints completely unavailable to legitimate users while consuming significant system resources. Attackers can exploit this weakness by repeatedly opening connections to the vulnerable service endpoint without transmitting any meaningful data, causing the server to accumulate open file descriptors until the system reaches its resource limits. The vulnerability demonstrates a clear pattern of resource leakage that aligns with common attack vectors documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under resource exhaustion techniques, specifically targeting the availability of network services through system-level resource consumption. This flaw particularly affects applications that rely on the embedded HTTP server for web service operations, potentially compromising the stability of entire Java-based applications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-1101 primarily focus on immediate patching and system hardening measures. Organizations should prioritize updating to Java SE Development Kit and Java Runtime Environment versions 6 Update 13 or later, where Oracle has addressed this specific resource leak issue. Additionally, implementing connection rate limiting and monitoring mechanisms can help detect and prevent abuse of this vulnerability by limiting the number of concurrent connections to JAX-WS endpoints. Network-level protections such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems can also be configured to monitor for unusual connection patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-400, which addresses resource exhaustion issues in software implementations, and represents a classic example of poor resource management practices that can lead to system instability and service disruption. System administrators should also consider implementing automated monitoring solutions to track file descriptor usage and connection counts to detect early signs of exploitation attempts.