CVE-2009-3885 in JRE
Summary
by MITRE
Sun Java SE 5.0 before Update 22 and 6 before Update 17 on Windows allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service via a BMP file containing a link to a UNC share pathname for an International Color Consortium (ICC) profile file, probably a related issue to CVE-2007-2789, aka Bug Id 6632445.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/15/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2009-3885 represents a significant denial of service weakness in Sun Java SE versions 5.0 Update 21 and earlier, as well as Java SE 6 Update 16 and earlier, specifically affecting Windows operating systems. This flaw manifests when the Java runtime environment processes BMP image files that contain references to International Color Consortium profile files stored on remote network shares. The issue stems from the improper handling of UNC (Universal Naming Convention) paths within ICC profile specifications, creating a scenario where remote attackers can exploit this behavior to disrupt system operations. The vulnerability operates through a chain of dependencies involving image processing components, network path resolution, and Java's handling of external resources.
The technical mechanism behind this vulnerability involves the Java runtime's image processing libraries attempting to resolve ICC profile references contained within BMP files. When these files reference UNC paths pointing to network shares, the Java environment attempts to access these remote resources without proper validation or timeout controls. This behavior creates an opportunity for attackers to craft malicious BMP files that reference non-responsive or malicious UNC endpoints, leading to extended wait times and resource exhaustion. The flaw essentially allows for a resource exhaustion attack where the system becomes unresponsive while attempting to resolve network paths, effectively creating a denial of service condition. This vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the image parsing level, making it accessible through common file attachment mechanisms and web browsing scenarios.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses a substantial risk to enterprise environments where Java applications are widely deployed, particularly in Windows-based systems. The attack vector requires minimal privileges and can be executed through standard web browsing or file attachment scenarios, making it particularly dangerous in unpatched environments. The impact extends beyond simple service disruption as the denial of service can affect entire application stacks, potentially causing cascading failures in systems that rely on Java for image processing. Organizations using Java-based applications for document processing, image management, or web applications become vulnerable to this attack, with potential business impact ranging from temporary service unavailability to complete system paralysis during attack execution.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-119, which addresses improper restriction of operations within a memory buffer, and relates to the broader category of resource management issues in software systems. It also maps to ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which covers network denial of service attacks through resource exhaustion, and T1059.007, which involves the execution of malicious code through scripting languages. The attack pattern demonstrates how seemingly benign file processing operations can become attack vectors when proper input validation and resource management controls are absent. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability represents a classic example of how network path resolution can become a security concern when not properly bounded or timed out, particularly in environments where remote access is permitted.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the relevant Java updates that address this specific vulnerability, implementing network segmentation to prevent unauthorized access to UNC shares, and deploying network monitoring solutions to detect unusual network path resolution patterns. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict access to external network resources during image processing operations, and configure proper timeout values for network resource access within Java applications. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of regular security assessments and vulnerability management programs that can identify and remediate similar issues across the entire software ecosystem, particularly in legacy Java installations that may not receive regular updates.