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CVE-2012-4681: Oracle Java SE Runtime Environment (JRE) Arbitrary Code Execution Vulnerability

CVE-2012-4681 is rated critical with a CVSS v3.1 base score of 9.8 and affects Oracle Java SE, along with 5 other products in NVD’s configuration data. Per its scoring, it can be exploited over the network, without authentication, without any user interaction. The scored impact on confidentiality, integrity and availability is the highest available. CISA added it to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2022-03-03, which means exploitation in the wild has been observed.

Vulnerability description

Multiple vulnerabilities in the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) component in Oracle Java SE 7 Update 6 and earlier allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted applet that bypasses SecurityManager restrictions by (1) using com.sun.beans.finder.ClassFinder.findClass and leveraging an exception with the forName method to access restricted classes from arbitrary packages such as sun.awt.SunToolkit, then (2) using "reflection with a trusted immediate caller" to leverage the getField method to access and modify private fields, as exploited in the wild in August 2012 using Gondzz.class and Gondvv.class.

Severity breakdown

CVSS v3.1 9.8: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

• Attack vector: Network. Exploitable remotely over the network, with no need for local or physical access.
• Attack complexity: Low. No special conditions; the attack can be repeated reliably.
• Privileges required: None. No account or prior access is needed.
• User interaction: None. No action from any user is needed.
• Scope: Unchanged. Impact stays within the vulnerable component.
• Confidentiality impact: High. Total loss of confidentiality; sensitive data can be fully disclosed.
• Integrity impact: High. Total loss of integrity; data or system state can be fully modified.
• Availability impact: High. Total loss of availability; the component can be shut down.

Underlying weakness

CWE-284: Improper Access Control

The product does not restrict or incorrectly restricts access to a resource from an unauthorized actor.

Affected products

• Oracle JRE: 1.6.0; 1.6.0 update1; 1.6.0 update10; 1.6.0 update11; 1.6.0 update12; 1.6.0 update13; 1.6.0 update14; 1.6.0 update15; 1.6.0 update16; 1.6.0 update17; 1.6.0 update18; 1.6.0 update19
• Oracle JDK: 1.6.0; 1.6.0 update1; 1.6.0 update10; 1.6.0 update11; 1.6.0 update12; 1.6.0 update13; 1.6.0 update14; 1.6.0 update15; 1.6.0 update16; 1.6.0 update17; 1.6.0 update18; 1.6.0 update19
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux Desktop: 6.0
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux Eus: 6.3
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server: 6.0
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation: 6.0

References

• http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/topics/security/alert-cve-2012-4681-1835715.html
• http://blog.fireeye.com/research/2012/08/zero-day-season-is-not-over-yet.html
• http://immunityproducts.blogspot.com/2012/08/java-0day-analysis-cve-2012-4681.html
• http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=135109152819176&w=2
• http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2012-1225.html
• http://www.deependresearch.org/2012/08/java-7-vulnerability-analysis.html
• http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/55213
• http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA12-240A.html
• https://community.rapid7.com/community/metasploit/blog/2012/08/27/lets-start-the-week-with-a-new-java-0day
• http://labs.alienvault.com/labs/index.php/2012/new-java-0day-exploited-in-the-wild/
• https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2012-4681
• http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2012-09/msg00032.html
• http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2012-10/msg00016.html
• http://secunia.com/advisories/51044