CVE-2010-4476 in Tomcat
Summary
by MITRE
The Double.parseDouble method in Java Runtime Environment (JRE) in Oracle Java SE and Java for Business 6 Update 23 and earlier, 5.0 Update 27 and earlier, and 1.4.2_29 and earlier, as used in OpenJDK, Apache, JBossweb, and other products, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service via a crafted string that triggers an infinite loop of estimations during conversion to a double-precision binary floating-point number, as demonstrated using 2.2250738585072012e-308.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/26/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2010-4476 represents a critical denial of service flaw within the Java Runtime Environment's Double.parseDouble method. This vulnerability affects multiple versions of Oracle Java SE and Java for Business, specifically those with update versions 6 Update 23 and earlier, 5.0 Update 27 and earlier, and 1.4.2_29 and earlier, along with affected implementations in OpenJDK, Apache, and JBossweb. The flaw manifests when processing specially crafted string inputs that trigger an infinite loop during the conversion process to double-precision binary floating-point numbers, ultimately leading to resource exhaustion and system unavailability.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the implementation of the Double.parseDouble method's internal algorithm for handling floating-point number conversion. When presented with a specific malformed string input such as 2.2250738585072012e-308, the parsing routine enters an infinite loop of estimations during the conversion process. This occurs due to insufficient boundary checking and loop termination conditions within the mathematical algorithms used for floating-point representation conversion. The vulnerability operates at the core mathematical computation level, leveraging the IEEE 754 floating-point standard's conversion routines while failing to properly validate input parameters that could cause algorithmic degradation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to encompass complete system instability and resource exhaustion. Attackers can exploit this weakness by sending maliciously crafted strings to any application that utilizes the Double.parseDouble method, whether in web applications, desktop software, or server environments. The infinite loop causes continuous CPU utilization, memory consumption, and thread blocking, effectively rendering the targeted application or system unresponsive. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-835, which describes the weakness of an infinite loop in software, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for network denial of service attacks. The attack surface is particularly broad given that Double.parseDouble is a fundamental method used across countless Java applications and frameworks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-4476 require immediate implementation of Java version updates and security patches from Oracle, as well as application-level input validation measures. Organizations should prioritize upgrading to patched versions of Java SE and Java for Business, specifically targeting versions beyond the affected releases mentioned in the vulnerability description. Additionally, implementing input sanitization routines that validate floating-point string representations before processing can provide defense-in-depth measures. Network-level protections such as rate limiting and input filtering at application firewalls can help mitigate exploitation attempts. Security monitoring should focus on identifying unusual CPU utilization patterns and thread behavior that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of mathematical algorithm validation in security-critical software components, particularly those handling user input in high-availability systems, as outlined in industry best practices for secure coding standards and vulnerability management protocols.