CVE-2013-2419 in Java
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) component in Oracle Java SE 7 Update 17 and earlier, 6 Update 43 and earlier, and 5.0 Update 41 and earlier; and OpenJDK 6 and 7; allows remote attackers to affect availability via unknown vectors related to 2D. NOTE: the previous information is from the April 2013 CPU. Oracle has not commented on claims from another vendor that this issue is related to "font processing errors" in the International Components for Unicode (ICU) Layout Engine before 51.2.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/27/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-2419 represents a critical security flaw within the Java Runtime Environment that affects multiple versions of Oracle Java SE and OpenJDK implementations. This weakness specifically resides within the 2D graphics component of the Java platform, creating potential avenues for attackers to disrupt system availability through unspecified vectors related to font processing operations. The vulnerability impacts Java SE versions 7 Update 17 and earlier, 6 Update 43 and earlier, and 5.0 Update 41 and earlier, alongside OpenJDK 6 and 7 implementations, making it a widespread concern across numerous Java deployments. The April 2013 CPU disclosure provided initial information about this issue, though Oracle has not officially confirmed the specific relationship to font processing errors within the International Components for Unicode ICU Layout Engine prior to version 51.2, suggesting this may represent a broader category of rendering vulnerabilities.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of font processing operations within the Java 2D graphics subsystem, which is responsible for rendering graphical content including text elements. When Java applications process font data through the affected components, particularly those utilizing Unicode internationalization features, the system may encounter memory corruption or resource exhaustion conditions that lead to system instability or complete service disruption. This flaw operates at the intersection of graphics rendering and memory management, where malformed font data can trigger unexpected behavior in the underlying graphics libraries. The vulnerability's classification as an availability issue indicates that successful exploitation typically results in denial of service conditions rather than direct code execution or privilege escalation, though such outcomes cannot be entirely ruled out given the nature of memory corruption vulnerabilities. The root cause likely involves insufficient input validation or boundary checking within the font processing pipeline, potentially creating opportunities for attackers to craft malicious font files or text content that triggers the problematic code paths.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-2419 extends significantly across enterprise environments where Java applications are prevalent, particularly those involving web-based interfaces, document processing systems, or any applications that render text content using the affected Java 2D graphics components. Organizations running web applications that accept user-generated content, including file uploads or text input fields, face heightened risk as attackers could exploit this vulnerability through crafted font data or Unicode text sequences. The potential for remote exploitation means that systems exposed to internet traffic, including web servers, application servers, and client applications, could be compromised without requiring authentication or local access. This vulnerability particularly affects environments where Java applets, web applications, or desktop applications process external text content, as these scenarios provide multiple attack vectors for delivering malicious font processing data. The indirect nature of the exploitation, relying on font handling rather than direct code injection, makes detection and prevention more challenging for security teams monitoring network traffic or application behavior.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of affected Java installations, with particular attention to the specific version numbers mentioned in the CVE description. Organizations must ensure that all systems running Java SE 7 Update 17 and earlier, 6 Update 43 and earlier, 5.0 Update 41 and earlier, as well as OpenJDK 6 and 7, receive appropriate updates from Oracle or their respective distribution vendors. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of Java applications to untrusted networks or user inputs, particularly in web-facing applications that process external content. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual font processing activities or resource consumption patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, though this requires specialized monitoring tools given the indirect nature of the attack vectors. Additionally, implementing application whitelisting and sandboxing measures for Java applications can provide additional defense-in-depth layers, as outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the application sandboxing and privilege separation techniques. The vulnerability's relationship to ICU Layout Engine processing suggests that organizations should also monitor for similar font processing issues in other components that may share underlying Unicode libraries, as this represents a broader class of vulnerabilities affecting internationalization libraries. System administrators should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all Java installations within their environments and prioritize remediation based on risk exposure and system criticality, following established security frameworks such as those recommended by NIST and ISO 27001 for comprehensive vulnerability management programs.