HOMEVULNERABILITIESCVE-2009-3871
CRITICAL

CVE-2009-3871

CWE-119Published: November 5, 2009· Updated: Jun 16, 2026

9.3
CVSS v3.1

Official Description

Heap-based buffer overflow in the setBytePixels function in the Abstract Window Toolkit (AWT) in Java Runtime Environment (JRE) in Sun Java SE in JDK and JRE 5.0 before Update 22, JDK and JRE 6 before Update 17, SDK and JRE 1.3.x before 1.3.1_27, and SDK and JRE 1.4.x before 1.4.2_24 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via crafted arguments, aka Bug Id 6872358.

NVD Source

Technical Analysis

CVE-2009-3871 can be exploited remotely over the network without requiring physical or adjacent access, significantly expanding the attack surface for threat actors.

Exploitation requires some privileges, which limits the exposure to scenarios where an attacker has already gained initial access.

From a weakness classification perspective (CWE-119): Buffer overflow vulnerabilities can lead to arbitrary code execution or denial of service by corrupting adjacent memory.

CVSS v3.1 Vector Breakdown

Exploitability
Attack VectorNetwork
Attack ComplexityM
Privileges Req.
User Interaction
Scope
Impact
ConfidentialityC
IntegrityC
AvailabilityC
AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C

Affected Vendors & Products

Microsoft1 product(s)
windows
sun5 product(s)
jdkjresdksolarisjava se
Source: NVD CPE · 138 total CPE entries

Exploit & PoC Resources

NO KNOWN EXPLOITNo public exploit confirmed at this time
Exploit-DB
Offensive Security exploit database
GitHub PoC Search
Community PoC repositories
Rapid7 / Metasploit
Metasploit module search
PacketStorm
Security advisories & exploits
NVD Detail
Official NIST entry
MITRE CVE
CVE Program entry
External links open in a new tab. Always verify in a controlled environment before use.

Official Patches & Advisories

PATCHhttp://sunsolve.sun.com/search/document.do?assetkey=1-66-270474-1
PATCHhttp://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2009/3131
PATCHhttp://zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-09-079/
PATCHhttp://sunsolve.sun.com/search/document.do?assetkey=1-66-270474-1
PATCHhttp://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2009/3131
PATCHhttp://zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-09-079/
ADVISORYhttp://java.sun.com/javase/6/webnotes/6u17.html
ADVISORYhttp://secunia.com/advisories/37231
ADVISORYhttp://java.sun.com/javase/6/webnotes/6u17.html
ADVISORYhttp://secunia.com/advisories/37231

All References (54)

→
http://java.sun.com/javase/6/webnotes/6u17.htmlVendor Advisory
→
http://lists.apple.com/archives/security-announce/2009/Dec/msg00000.html
→
http://lists.apple.com/archives/security-announce/2009/Dec/msg00001.html
→
http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2009-11/msg00010.html
→
http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=126566824131534&w=2
→
http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=131593453929393&w=2
→
http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=134254866602253&w=2
→
http://secunia.com/advisories/37231Vendor Advisory
→
http://secunia.com/advisories/37239
→
http://secunia.com/advisories/37386
→
http://secunia.com/advisories/37581
→
http://secunia.com/advisories/37841
→
http://security.gentoo.org/glsa/glsa-200911-02.xml
→
http://securitytracker.com/id?1023132
→
http://sunsolve.sun.com/search/document.do?assetkey=1-66-270474-1Patch · Vendor Advisory

Quick Facts

CVE IDCVE-2009-3871
CVSS Score9.3 / 10
SeverityCRITICAL
WeaknessCWE-119
CISA KEVNo
Affected2 vendor(s)
PublishedNov 5, 2009

Related CVEs (CWE-119)

CVE-2009-3849
10.0
CVE-2009-3999
10.0
CVE-2009-3699
10.0
CVE-2008-7232
10.0
CVE-2008-0067
10.0
CVE-2001-0803
10.0

Recommended Actions

  • →Apply vendor patches immediately
  • →Monitor CVE-2009-3871 in threat intel feeds
  • →Review IDS/IPS signatures for exploitation attempts
Data sourced from NVD (NIST), CISA KEV, and EPSS (FIRST). Analysis generated by CTIWatch. CVE data is provided under the NVD usage policy.
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