Firefox with Java Applet Support (Legacy Container)

⚠️ Disclaimer Java applets are deprecated and widely unsupported by modern web browsers due to significant security risks and lack of active development. This container is provided as-is for the sole purpose of running legacy applications that require Java applet support within a controlled environment. Use at your own risk.
Do not expose this container to untrusted networks or sensitive data.

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Image

Prebuilt image available on Docker Hub.

egyiptomi/firefox-with-applets:latest

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Running the Container

Using Docker

docker pull egyiptomi/firefox-with-applets:latest

docker run -d \
  --name firefox-with-applets \
  --restart always \
  -p 5900:5900 \
  -p 6080:6080 \
  --shm-size=2g \
  egyiptomi/firefox-with-applets:latest

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Using Docker Compose

Create a docker-compose.yml file:

services:
  desktop:
    image: egyiptomi/firefox-with-applets:latest
    container_name: firefox-with-applets
    restart: always

    ports:
      - "5900:5900"  # VNC
      - "6080:6080"  # noVNC web

    shm_size: "2gb"

Start the container:

docker compose up -d

Stop the container:

docker compose down

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Accessing the Container

Method	Address
VNC	localhost:5900
noVNC (Web)	http://localhost:6080

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Overview

This project provides a Docker container designed to run legacy web applications that rely on Java applets.

It bundles:

• Firefox ESR 52
• IcedTea-Web (NPAPI plugin)
• A VNC-enabled Linux desktop

This combination allows NPAPI-based Java applets to run in a sandboxed environment.

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Base Image

Built on top of:

• dcsunset/ubuntu-vnc:18.04

This base image provides:

• XFCE desktop environment
• VNC server
• noVNC web access

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Included Software & Build Details

1. NPAPI SDK

• Source: https://github.com/projg2/npapi-sdk
• Provides headers and tooling required for NPAPI plugin support.

2. IcedTea-Web (1.8)

• Built from source
• Source: https://github.com/AdoptOpenJDK/IcedTea-Web/tree/1.8
• Provides:
  • Java Web Start
  • Java NPAPI browser plugin (Icedteaplugin.so)

3. Mozilla Plugin Integration

• Icedteaplugin.so is linked into Firefox’s plugin directory
• Enables Java applet execution inside Firefox

4. Firefox ESR 52

• Last Firefox ESR version with NPAPI support
• Required for Java applets to function

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