CVE-2009-3880 in OpenJDK
Summary
by MITRE
The Abstract Window Toolkit (AWT) in Java Runtime Environment (JRE) in Sun Java SE 5.0 before Update 22 and 6 before Update 17, and OpenJDK, does not properly restrict the objects that may be sent to loggers, which allows attackers to obtain sensitive information via vectors related to the implementation of Component, KeyboardFocusManager, and DefaultKeyboardFocusManager, aka Bug Id 6664512.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/27/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2009-3880 resides within the Abstract Window Toolkit implementation of Java Runtime Environment, specifically affecting Sun Java SE versions prior to updates 22 and 17 respectively, alongside OpenJDK implementations. This security flaw represents a significant information disclosure risk that stems from inadequate object restriction mechanisms within the logging subsystem of the AWT framework. The vulnerability manifests when certain components related to user interface interaction are processed through logger mechanisms without proper sanitization or validation of the objects being logged.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper handling of object serialization and logging within the AWT classes, particularly those related to Component, KeyboardFocusManager, and DefaultKeyboardFocusManager implementations. When these objects are passed to logging functions, they contain sensitive information that should not be exposed through standard logging mechanisms. The flaw creates a path where attackers can manipulate the flow of component objects through the logging system to extract potentially sensitive data about the application's internal state or system configuration. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-209, which addresses information exposure through exception handling, and CWE-210, concerning information exposure through logging.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can enable attackers to gain insights into application behavior, system architecture, and potentially sensitive data structures. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability can construct malicious input sequences that, when processed through the affected AWT components, result in sensitive information being written to log files or console outputs. This information might include component hierarchies, focus management states, or other internal representation details that could aid in subsequent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1005, Information Gathering, and T1083, File and Directory Discovery, as it enables adversaries to collect system information through log file analysis.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-3880 primarily involve applying the vendor-provided security patches and updates for affected Java versions, which typically include enhanced object validation and logging restrictions within the AWT framework. Organizations should also implement proper log sanitization procedures to prevent sensitive information from being written to log files, including configuring logging frameworks to exclude potentially problematic object types from being serialized. Additionally, system administrators should monitor log files for unusual patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, and consider implementing automated log analysis tools that can detect sensitive information exposure patterns. The vulnerability underscores the importance of secure coding practices in GUI frameworks and highlights the need for comprehensive input validation at all levels of application processing, particularly in systems where user interaction components are involved in logging operations.