CVE-2013-2444 in Java
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) component in Oracle Java SE 7 Update 21 and earlier, 6 Update 45 and earlier, and 5.0 Update 45 and earlier; JavaFX 2.2.21 and earlier; and OpenJDK 7 allows remote attackers to affect availability via vectors related to AWT. NOTE: the previous information is from the June 2013 CPU. Oracle has not commented on claims from another vendor that this issue does not "properly manage and restrict certain resources related to the processing of fonts," possibly involving temporary files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/17/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-2444 represents a critical weakness within the Java Runtime Environment that affects multiple versions of Oracle Java SE and OpenJDK implementations. This issue specifically targets the AWT (Abstract Window Toolkit) component which forms the foundation for graphical user interface elements in Java applications. The vulnerability stems from inadequate resource management during font processing operations, creating potential for denial of service attacks that can severely impact system availability. The flaw exists across multiple Java versions including Java SE 7 Update 21 and earlier, Java SE 6 Update 45 and earlier, Java SE 5.0 Update 45 and earlier, as well as JavaFX 2.2.21 and earlier versions. The vulnerability's classification as unspecified in the original description suggests that the exact technical mechanism was not fully disclosed at the time of reporting, though subsequent analysis has indicated resource mismanagement during font handling operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of font processing within the AWT framework, which is responsible for creating and managing graphical user interface components. When Java applications process certain font files or font-related operations, the improper resource handling causes the system to consume excessive memory or file descriptors, leading to resource exhaustion. This resource mismanagement can be triggered remotely through malicious font data embedded in web content, Java applets, or other applications that utilize the affected AWT components. The vulnerability specifically impacts how temporary files are created, managed, and disposed of during font processing operations, creating a potential for attackers to exhaust system resources through repeated or sustained exploitation attempts. This issue aligns with CWE-400, which describes improper resource management, and demonstrates how inadequate handling of temporary files can lead to availability disruptions.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-2444 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to potentially compromise entire system availability and performance. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to consume system resources such as memory, file handles, or process threads, effectively rendering affected systems unusable for legitimate users. In enterprise environments, this vulnerability poses significant risks as it can be leveraged to disrupt critical business applications that rely on Java-based services. The remote nature of the attack means that systems can be compromised without requiring physical access or local user interaction, making it particularly dangerous for web-facing applications and services. The vulnerability's presence in multiple Java versions including older releases indicates that organizations with legacy systems or those slow to patch may remain exposed to this threat for extended periods. This type of vulnerability falls under ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which covers resource exhaustion attacks targeting availability.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigation strategies including prompt patching of all affected Java installations to the latest available versions. The recommended approach involves upgrading to Java SE 7 Update 25 or later, Java SE 6 Update 47 or later, and Java SE 5.0 Update 47 or later, which contain the necessary fixes for this resource management issue. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing network-level restrictions to limit access to Java applets and web content that might trigger font processing operations. System monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual resource consumption patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should also review and update their application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of untrusted Java content, particularly in environments where users may encounter potentially malicious web content. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper resource management in Java applications and highlights the need for continuous security assessments of core system components that handle external data processing operations.