CVE-2010-4472 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 allows remote attackers to affect availability, related to XML Digital Signature and unspecified APIs. NOTE: the previous information was obtained from the February 2011 CPU. Oracle has not commented on claims from a downstream vendor that this issue involves the replacement of the "XML DSig Transform or C14N algorithm implementations."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/17/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-4472 represents a critical security flaw within Oracle's Java Runtime Environment affecting Java SE and Java for Business versions 6 Update 23 and earlier. This unspecified weakness resides within the XML Digital Signature implementation and related APIs, creating a potential vector for remote attackers to compromise system availability. The vulnerability was initially documented in Oracle's February 2011 Critical Patch Update, though the company has not provided specific details regarding the exact nature of the flaw. Security researchers have noted that downstream vendors have suggested the issue specifically involves the replacement of XML DSig Transform or Canonicalization algorithm implementations, indicating a fundamental weakness in how digital signatures are processed within the Java environment.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of XML Digital Signature processing within the Java Runtime Environment, potentially allowing attackers to disrupt service availability or cause system instability. The flaw specifically targets the handling of XML DSig Transform and C14N algorithm implementations, which are critical components for verifying digital signatures in XML documents. When these algorithms are replaced or improperly handled, they can create conditions that allow for denial of service attacks or other availability-related disruptions. This weakness falls under the broader category of software vulnerabilities affecting cryptographic implementations, which are categorized under CWE-310 in the Common Weakness Enumeration framework. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple availability issues as it could potentially enable more sophisticated attacks depending on how the flawed signature processing is exploited.
The operational implications of CVE-2010-4472 are significant for organizations running affected Java versions, particularly in enterprise environments where XML-based digital signature processing is common. Systems that rely on Java for processing secure XML documents, including web services, digital certificate validation systems, and secure communication protocols, become vulnerable to disruption. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries can exploit this weakness without requiring local access to affected systems, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments. According to ATT&CK framework categorization, this vulnerability aligns with techniques involving service interruption and availability disruption, potentially enabling attackers to perform denial of service operations against Java-based applications. Organizations using vulnerable Java versions face risks including system unavailability, service disruption, and potential data processing failures that could impact business operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-4472 primarily focus on immediate patching and system updates to address the underlying XML Digital Signature implementation issues. Organizations should prioritize upgrading to Java SE and Java for Business versions 6 Update 24 or later, where Oracle has addressed the vulnerability through corrected XML processing algorithms. System administrators should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of vulnerable systems to untrusted networks. Additional protective measures include monitoring network traffic for suspicious XML signature processing activities and implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify potential exploitation attempts. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all systems running affected Java versions and ensure proper patch management procedures are in place. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining current Java runtime environments and highlights the need for organizations to have robust update and patch management processes that can quickly address critical security flaws.