CVE-2010-4471 in JDK
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) in Oracle Java SE and Java for Business 6 Update 23 and earlier, and 5.0 Update 27 and earlier allows remote untrusted Java Web Start applications and untrusted Java applets to affect confidentiality via unknown vectors related to 2D. NOTE: the previous information was obtained from the February 2011 CPU. Oracle has not commented on claims from a downstream vendor that this issue is related to the exposure of system properties via vectors related to Font.createFont and exception text.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/17/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2010-4471 represents a significant security flaw within the Java Runtime Environment that affects multiple versions of Oracle's Java SE and Java for Business platforms. This issue specifically impacts the 2D graphics component of Java and manifests through untrusted Java Web Start applications and applets, creating a potential attack surface that could compromise system confidentiality. The vulnerability's classification as unspecified indicates that the exact technical mechanisms remain partially obscured, though subsequent analysis has suggested connections to font handling and system property exposure through Font.createFont and exception text processing.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of 2D graphics operations within the Java runtime environment, particularly when processing untrusted input from web-based Java applications. When Java Web Start applications or applets execute, they operate within a sandboxed environment designed to prevent unauthorized access to system resources. However, this particular flaw appears to allow bypassing certain security restrictions that should normally prevent these untrusted applications from accessing sensitive system information. The connection to Font.createFont functionality suggests that the vulnerability may exploit how Java processes font files, potentially leading to information disclosure through exception handling mechanisms or direct system property exposure.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses substantial risk to organizations deploying Java-based web applications, as it could enable attackers to extract confidential information from systems running affected Java versions. The impact extends beyond simple data theft, as the exposure of system properties through font processing could provide attackers with valuable information about the target environment, potentially facilitating further exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers can exploit it through web browsers or Java Web Start applications without requiring local system access, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users frequently interact with untrusted web content.
Security practitioners should consider this vulnerability in the context of broader Java security frameworks and threat modeling approaches, particularly when evaluating the risk of untrusted Java content execution. The vulnerability aligns with common attack patterns documented in the ATT&CK framework under techniques related to privilege escalation and information gathering, where attackers attempt to extract system information to inform subsequent attacks. Organizations should prioritize updating to patched versions of Java SE and Java for Business, as Oracle's subsequent releases addressed this vulnerability through improved input validation and enhanced sandboxing mechanisms for 2D graphics operations. The incident also highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date Java installations and implementing network-based controls to limit access to potentially vulnerable Java applications.
The vulnerability's classification as a 2D graphics related issue places it within CWE categories focusing on graphics processing and font handling security flaws. Proper mitigation strategies should include immediate patch deployment, implementation of Java security policies that restrict untrusted content execution, and network segmentation to limit potential attack vectors. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of untrusted Java applications, particularly those that might leverage the font processing vulnerabilities described in this CVE. The security community's response to this vulnerability underscores the critical need for ongoing Java security monitoring and proactive vulnerability management practices.