Vulnerabilities [sun Java]

The Sun Java Runtime Environment Font object is reportedly vulnerable to an assertion failure denial of service vulnerability. This issue is due to a failure of the process to handle exceptional conditions when processing font objects.

This issue is reported to affect Java Runtime Environment versions 1.4.1 through 1.4.2; it is likely however that other versions are also affected. This issue will crash Internet browsers running an affected Java plug-in as well.

This issue may be exploited by an attacker to cause a vulnerable application, as well as all processes spawned from the application, to crash, denying service to legitimate users. Due to the scope of the crash, data loss may occur.

http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/10623/discussion/