How severe is CVE-2002-2248?

CVE-2002-2248 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 10.0, rated critical severity.

Is CVE-2002-2248 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 6% (92nd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2002-2248?

CVE-2002-2248 primarily affects Netscape Communicator. In total, 14 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2002-2248?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2002-2248 published?

CVE-2002-2248 was published on 2002-12-31 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

CVE-2002-2248

CVE-2002-2248 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Netscape Communicator with a CVSS 2.0 base score of 10.0. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-119.

Key facts

Severity: Critical (CVSS 2.0 base score 10.0)
EPSS exploit prediction: 6% (92nd percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-119
Affected product: Netscape Communicator
Published: 2002-12-31
Last modified: 2026-06-16

Description

Buffer overflow in the sun.awt.windows.WDefaultFontCharset Java class implementation in Netscape 4.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via an applet that calls the WDefaultFontCharset constructor with a long string and invokes the canConvert method.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2002-2248?: Buffer overflow in the sun.awt.windows.WDefaultFontCharset Java class implementation in Netscape 4.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via an applet that calls the WDefaultFontCharset constructor with a long string and invokes the canConvert method.
How severe is CVE-2002-2248?: CVE-2002-2248 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 10.0, rated critical severity.
Is CVE-2002-2248 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 6% (92nd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2002-2248?: CVE-2002-2248 primarily affects Netscape Communicator. In total, 14 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2002-2248?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2002-2248 published?: CVE-2002-2248 was published on 2002-12-31 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

References

Affected products (14)

cpe:2.3:a:netscape:communicator:4.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:netscape:communicator:4.5:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:netscape:communicator:4.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:netscape:communicator:4.7:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:netscape:communicator:4.51:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:netscape:communicator:4.61:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:netscape:communicator:4.72:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:netscape:communicator:4.73:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:netscape:communicator:4.74:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:netscape:communicator:4.75:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:netscape:communicator:4.76:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:netscape:communicator:4.77:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:netscape:communicator:4.78:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:netscape:communicator:4.79:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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