CVE-2009-3869 in JRE
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in the setDiffICM function in the Abstract Window Toolkit (AWT) in Java Runtime Environment (JRE) in Sun Java SE in JDK and JRE 5.0 before Update 22, JDK and JRE 6 before Update 17, SDK and JRE 1.3.x before 1.3.1_27, and SDK and JRE 1.4.x before 1.4.2_24 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted argument, aka Bug Id 6872357.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/13/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-3869 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow within the Abstract Window Toolkit component of Sun Java SE implementations. This flaw exists in multiple Java runtime versions including JDK and JRE 5.0 prior to Update 22, JDK and JRE 6 prior to Update 17, and older SDK and JRE versions 1.3.x before 1.3.1_27 and 1.4.x before 1.4.2_24. The vulnerability specifically affects the setDiffICM function which handles image color management operations within the AWT framework, making it a significant security concern for Java applications that process image data.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow occurs when the setDiffICM function processes a crafted argument that exceeds the allocated stack buffer size. This function is responsible for handling color management in Java applications, particularly when dealing with image color space transformations. The flaw arises from insufficient input validation and bounds checking within the function, allowing an attacker to overwrite adjacent stack memory locations. When a maliciously crafted argument is passed to this function, the excessive data causes a buffer overflow that can overwrite return addresses, function pointers, and other critical stack data, potentially enabling arbitrary code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to completely compromise Java runtime environments running affected versions. Since the vulnerability exists in core AWT components, any application that processes image data or uses color management features becomes a potential target. This includes web applications, desktop applications, and server-side Java applications that handle user-provided image content. The remote exploitation nature means attackers can trigger this vulnerability through network-based attacks without requiring local access, making it particularly dangerous in web environments where Java applets are executed.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which specifically addresses buffer overflows occurring in stack memory regions. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with attack techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1059.007 sub-technique for execution through scripting languages, as the overflow can be exploited to execute arbitrary code within the Java environment. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution flaw makes it particularly concerning for enterprise environments where Java applications are widely deployed. Organizations running affected Java versions face significant risk of unauthorized system compromise, data exfiltration, and potential lateral movement within their networks. The widespread use of Java applications across different platforms and deployment scenarios amplifies the potential impact of this vulnerability, as it affects not just individual systems but entire application ecosystems that depend on the Java runtime environment for operation.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves immediate deployment of vendor security patches and updates for all affected Java versions. System administrators should prioritize updating to patched versions of Java SE, specifically targeting the updates mentioned in the vulnerability description for each affected version line. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of Java applications to untrusted networks. Additionally, application-level protections such as sandboxing Java applets and implementing strict input validation for image processing components can provide additional defense-in-depth measures. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other Java components and third-party libraries that may be running on affected systems.