CVE-2009-3879 in OpenJDK
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple unspecified vulnerabilities in the (1) X11 and (2) Win32GraphicsDevice subsystems in Sun Java SE 5.0 before Update 22 and 6 before Update 17, and OpenJDK, have unknown impact and attack vectors, related to failure to clone arrays that are returned by the getConfigurations function, aka Bug Id 6822057.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/27/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2009-3879 represents a critical security flaw affecting Sun Java SE and OpenJDK implementations across multiple operating systems. This issue specifically targets the X11 and Win32GraphicsDevice subsystems, which are fundamental components responsible for graphical user interface rendering and display management within the Java runtime environment. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of array cloning operations when the getConfigurations function returns graphical configuration data, creating potential attack vectors that could be exploited by malicious actors to compromise system integrity.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the failure to properly clone arrays returned by the getConfigurations function within the graphics subsystems. When Java applications request graphical configuration information from the X11 or Win32GraphicsDevice components, the system should create independent copies of the returned array data to prevent unintended modifications. However, the flawed implementation allows for direct reference sharing between the returned array and internal data structures, creating a scenario where modifications to one array could inadvertently affect the other. This memory management error falls under the CWE-119 category of "Improper Access to Memory Location" and specifically relates to CWE-704 which covers "Incorrect Type Conversion or Cast" when dealing with array references.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across multiple platforms and Java versions, affecting both Sun Java SE 5.0 before Update 22 and 6 before Update 17, as well as OpenJDK implementations. Attackers could potentially exploit this weakness to execute arbitrary code, escalate privileges, or cause denial of service conditions within Java applications that rely on graphical rendering capabilities. The unknown nature of specific attack vectors makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous as security teams cannot predict exactly how an attacker might leverage the flaw. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript' and T1203 for "Exploitation for Client Execution" when considering how graphical applications might be manipulated to execute malicious code through the compromised graphics subsystem.
Systems running affected Java versions remain at significant risk until proper patches are applied, as the vulnerability exists at the core runtime component level where graphics operations are handled. The impact is particularly severe in environments where Java applications process untrusted graphical input or where applications require extensive graphical rendering capabilities. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of all affected systems and consider implementing network segmentation to limit potential attack surface exposure. Additionally, monitoring for unusual graphical processing patterns or memory access violations could help detect exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper memory management in runtime environments and highlights how seemingly minor implementation flaws in core subsystems can create widespread security implications across multiple platforms and application types.