CVE-2009-3873

CVE-2009-3873 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Sun Jdk with a CVSS 2.0 base score of 9.3. 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 9.3)
• EPSS exploit prediction: 4% (90th percentile)
• Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
• Weakness: CWE-119
• Affected product: Sun Jdk
• Published: 2009-11-05
• Last modified: 2026-06-16

Description

The JPEG Image Writer in Sun Java SE in JDK and JRE 5.0 before Update 22, JDK and JRE 6 before Update 17, and SDK and JRE 1.4.x before 1.4.2_24 allows remote attackers to gain privileges via a crafted image file, related to a "quantization problem," aka Bug Id 6862968.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2009-3873?

The JPEG Image Writer in Sun Java SE in JDK and JRE 5.0 before Update 22, JDK and JRE 6 before Update 17, and SDK and JRE 1.4.x before 1.4.2_24 allows remote attackers to gain privileges via a crafted image file, related to a "quantization problem," aka Bug Id 6862968.

How severe is CVE-2009-3873?

CVE-2009-3873 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 9.3, rated critical severity.

Is CVE-2009-3873 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 4% (90th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2009-3873?

CVE-2009-3873 primarily affects Sun Jdk. In total, 204 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2009-3873?

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-2009-3873 published?

CVE-2009-3873 was published on 2009-11-05 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

References

• http://java.sun.com/javase/6/webnotes/6u17.html
• 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/37231
• 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=1-66-270474-1
• http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3969
• http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3970
• http://www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDVSA-2010:084
• http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/topics/security/cpujan2010-084891.html
• http://www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2009-1694.html
• http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/36881
• http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2009/3131
• https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A11746
• https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A6970
• https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A8396
• https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A9602

Affected products (204)

• cpe:2.3:a:sun:jdk:1.5.0:update_1:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:sun:jdk:1.5.0:update_10:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:sun:jdk:1.5.0:update_11:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:sun:jdk:1.5.0:update_12:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:sun:jdk:1.5.0:update_13:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:sun:jdk:1.5.0:update_14:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:sun:jdk:1.5.0:update_15:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:sun:jdk:1.5.0:update_16:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:sun:jdk:1.5.0:update_17:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:sun:jdk:1.5.0:update_18:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:sun:jdk:1.5.0:update_19:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:sun:jdk:1.5.0:update_2:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:sun:jdk:1.5.0:update_20:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:sun:jdk:1.5.0:update_21:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:sun:jdk:1.5.0:update_3:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:sun:jdk:1.5.0:update_4:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:sun:jdk:1.5.0:update_5:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:sun:jdk:1.5.0:update_6:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:sun:jdk:1.5.0:update_7:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:sun:jdk:1.5.0:update_8:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:sun:jdk:1.5.0:update_9:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:sun:jdk:1.6.0:update_1:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:sun:jdk:1.6.0:update_10:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:sun:jdk:1.6.0:update_11:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:sun:jdk:1.6.0:update_12:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:sun:jdk:1.6.0:update_13:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:sun:jdk:1.6.0:update_14:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:sun:jdk:1.6.0:update_15:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:sun:jdk:1.6.0:update_16:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:sun:jdk:1.6.0:update_3:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:sun:jdk:1.6.0:update_4:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:sun:jdk:1.6.0:update_5:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:sun:jdk:1.6.0:update_6:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:sun:jdk:1.6.0:update_7:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:sun:jdk:1.6.0:update_8:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:sun:jdk:1.6.0:update_9:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:sun:jre:1.5.0:update_1:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:sun:jre:1.5.0:update_11:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:sun:jre:1.5.0:update_12:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:sun:jre:1.5.0:update_13:*:*:*:*:*:*

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