CVE-2013-1478 in Java
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) component in Oracle Java SE 7 through Update 11, 6 through Update 38, 5.0 through Update 38, and 1.4.2_40 and earlier, and OpenJDK 6 and 7, allows remote attackers to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability via unknown vectors related to 2D. NOTE: the previous information is from the February 2013 CPU. Oracle has not commented on claims from another vendor that this issue is related to "insufficient validation of raster parameters" that can trigger an integer overflow and memory corruption.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/09/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-1478 represents a critical security flaw within the Java Runtime Environment component that affects multiple versions of Oracle Java SE and OpenJDK implementations. This issue resides within the 2D graphics rendering subsystem of the Java platform, specifically impacting how raster parameters are processed during graphics operations. The vulnerability's classification as unspecified indicates that the exact nature of the attack vector was not fully disclosed in the initial reporting, though subsequent analysis has linked it to insufficient validation mechanisms within the graphics processing pipeline. The affected versions span across Java 7 through Update 11, Java 6 through Update 38, Java 5.0 through Update 38, and various earlier releases including Java 1.4.2_40, making it particularly widespread across the Java ecosystem. The vulnerability's presence in both Oracle's proprietary Java implementation and OpenJDK demonstrates its fundamental nature within the Java graphics subsystem rather than being vendor-specific.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate parameter validation within the 2D graphics rendering code, specifically related to raster processing operations. When the Java runtime processes certain graphics operations involving raster parameters, the validation mechanisms fail to properly check for integer overflow conditions that can occur when processing malformed or specially crafted graphics data. This insufficient validation creates a scenario where an attacker can manipulate raster parameters to cause integer overflow conditions that subsequently lead to memory corruption. The integer overflow vulnerability represents a classic software security flaw that can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code, as the overflow conditions can be manipulated to overwrite critical memory locations or redirect program execution flow. This type of vulnerability directly maps to CWE-190, which describes integer overflow conditions, and is particularly dangerous in the context of Java's security model where graphics operations are often processed in untrusted contexts such as web applets or downloaded applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-1478 extends across multiple attack vectors and threat scenarios, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise environments and applications that utilize Java for graphics rendering. Remote attackers can exploit this vulnerability through various means including web-based attacks targeting Java applets, malicious websites that embed graphics content, or through compromised applications that process untrusted graphics data. The confidentiality, integrity, and availability triad are all compromised through this vulnerability, as attackers can potentially read sensitive memory contents, corrupt application data, or cause system crashes and denial of service conditions. The vulnerability's exploitation does not require user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website or executing a malicious Java application, making it particularly dangerous in phishing attacks or targeted campaigns. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving code injection and privilege escalation, as successful exploitation can lead to full system compromise. The widespread nature of affected Java versions means that any system running an impacted Java runtime is potentially vulnerable, regardless of the specific application being used.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-1478 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security posture improvements within Java environments. The primary and most effective mitigation involves applying the security patches released by Oracle as part of their regular update cycle, specifically updating to Java versions that contain fixes for the 2D graphics rendering issues. Organizations should also implement application whitelisting and sandboxing measures that limit the execution of untrusted Java code, particularly in web browsers where the vulnerability is most commonly exploited. Network-level controls such as firewall rules and web application firewalls can help detect and block malicious traffic targeting Java vulnerabilities. Additionally, security teams should conduct regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify systems running outdated Java versions that may be vulnerable to this and similar attacks. The vulnerability's nature as a graphics rendering issue also suggests that organizations should consider disabling Java plugin support in web browsers for users who do not require Java-based applications, as this reduces the attack surface significantly. From a compliance perspective, this vulnerability aligns with various security standards including those outlined in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and ISO 27001, as it represents a critical weakness in the software supply chain that requires immediate attention and remediation.