# CVE-2009-3869: Memory corruption in n/a

> Remote attackers can execute arbitrary code via a crafted argument in the Java AWT setDiffICM function, requiring user interaction.

- **Severity:** Critical 9.3 (`AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** A user has to click or open something
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 5 Nov 2009
- **Updated:** 7 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-xf34-q2g4-cjm6

## What is CVE-2009-3869?

CVE-2009-3869 is a critical memory corruption vulnerability in Sun Jdk, published on 5 Nov 2009. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.

### Official description

Stack-based buffer overflow in the setDiffICM 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 a crafted argument, aka Bug Id 6872357.

Weakness: CWE-119 (Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2009-3869?

It affects 3 products.


Products: Sun Jdk, Sun Jre, Sun Sdk.

## How do I fix CVE-2009-3869?

Upgrade to a fixed version.

## Is CVE-2009-3869 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2009-3869 exists.

Public exploit code:

- Sun Java JRE AWT setDiffICM Buffer Overflow (metasploit)
- Sun Java - JRE AWT setDiffICM Buffer Overflow (Metasploit) (exploitdb)

## Other vulnerabilities in Sun Jdk

- [CVE-2011-3521](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2011-3521/): Deserialization in n/a (critical 10.0)
- [CVE-2011-3548](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2011-3548/): Other in n/a (critical 10.0)
- [CVE-2011-3549](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2011-3549/): Other in n/a (critical 10.0)
- [CVE-2011-3554](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2011-3554/): Other in n/a (critical 10.0)
- [CVE-2011-0802](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2011-0802/): Other in n/a (critical 10.0)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2009-3869 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2009-3869 is a critical memory corruption vulnerability in Sun Jdk, published on 5 Nov 2009. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Exploitation: It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2009-3869 exists.

Affected product: Sun Jdk. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2009-3869/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2009-3869/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2009-3869
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2009-3869
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2009-3869

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2009-3869/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.