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CIRC INFORMATION BULLETIN

S-028: Vulnerability in Java Runtime Environment Virtual Machine

[Sun Alert ID: 103112]

October 24, 2007 21:00 GMT
PROBLEM: A vulnerability in the Virtual Machine of the Java Runtime Environment may allow an untrusted applet to elevate its privileges.
PLATFORM: This issue can occur in the following releases (for Windows, Solaris, and Linux):
JDK and JRE 6 Update 2 and earlier
JDK and JRE 5.0 Update 12 and earlier
SDK and JRE 1.4.2_15 and earlier
SDK and JRE 1.3.1_20 and earlier
DAMAGE: May allow an untrusted applet to elevate its privileges granting itself permissions to read and write local files or execute local applications that are accessible to the user running the untrusted applet.
SOLUTION: Upgrade to the appropriate version.
VULNERABILITY
ASSESSMENT:		 The risk is MEDIUM. May allow an untrusted applet to elevate its privileges granting itself permissions to read and write local files or execute local applications that are accessible to the user running the untrusted applet.
LINKS:  
  CIRC BULLETIN: http://www.doecirc.energy.gov/bulletins/s-028.shtml
  ORIGINAL BULLETIN: http://sunsolve.sun.com/search/document.do?assetkey=1-26-103112-1 
[***** Start Sun Alert ID: 103112 *****]
Sun(sm) Alert Notification

1. Impact

A vulnerability in the Virtual Machine of the Java Runtime Environment may allow an untrusted applet to elevate its privileges. For example, an applet may grant itself permissions to read and write local files or execute local applications that are accessible to the user running the untrusted applet.

Sun acknowledges with thanks, Azul Systems, Inc., for bringing this issue to our attention.

2. Contributing Factors

This issue can occur in the following releases (for Windows, Solaris, and Linux):

  • JDK and JRE 6 Update 2 and earlier
  • JDK and JRE 5.0 Update 12 and earlier
  • SDK and JRE 1.4.2_15 and earlier
  • SDK and JRE 1.3.1_20 and earlier

To determine the default version of the JRE that Internet Explorer uses:

  1. Click "Tools" in the Menu Bar at the top of the browser
  2. Select "Sun Java Console"
  3. The first two lines in the console display the version of Java Plug-in and JRE that Internet Explorer uses.

To determine the default version of the JRE that Mozilla or Firefox browsers use, visit the URL "about:plugins".

The browser will display a page called "Installed plug-ins" which lists the version of the Java Plug-in:

Java(TM) Plug-in 1.5.0_11-b03

The above example indicates that the version of the JRE that the browser uses is 1.5.0_11.

3. Symptoms

There are no predictable symptoms that would indicate the issue described is being exploited.


Solution Summary Top

4. Relief/Workaround

There is no workaround for this issue. Please see the Resolution section below.


5. Resolution

This issue is addressed in the following releases (for Windows, Solaris, and Linux):

  • JDK and JRE 6 Update 3 or later
  • JDK and JRE 5.0 Update 13 or later
  • SDK and JRE 1.4.2_16 or later

This issue is addressed in the following release for Windows and Solaris 8:

  • SDK and JRE 1.3.1_21 or later

JDK and JRE 6 Update 3 is available for download at the following links:

http://java.sun.com/javase/downloads/index.jsp

http://java.com

JDK 6 Update 3 for Solaris is available in the following patches:

  • Java SE 6 Update 3 (as delivered in patch 125136-04 or later)
  • Java SE 6 Update 3 (as delivered in patch 125137-04 or later (64bit))
  • Java SE 6_x86 Update 3 (as delivered in patch 125138-04 or later)
  • Java SE 6_x86 Update 3 (as delivered in patch 125139-04 or later (64bit))

JDK and JRE 5.0 Update 13 is available for download at the following link:

http://java.sun.com/javase/downloads/index_jdk5.jsp

JDK 5.0 Update 13 for Solaris is available in the following patches:

  • J2SE 5.0 Update 13 (as delivered in patch 118666-14)
  • J2SE 5.0 Update 13 (as delivered in patch 118667-14 (64bit))
  • J2SE 5.0_x86 Update 13 (as delivered in patch 118668-14)
  • J2SE 5.0_x86 Update 13 (as delivered in patch 118669-14 (64bit))

SDK and JRE 1.4.2 is available for download at:

http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.4.2/download.html

SDK and JRE 1.3.1 for Solaris 8 is available for download at:

http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.3/download.html

SDK and JRE 1.3.1 has completed the Sun End of Life (EOL) process and is only supported for customers with Solaris 8 and Vintage Support Offering support contracts (see http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.3/download.html). Sun strongly recommends that users upgrade to the latest releases.

Note: When installing a new version of the product from a source other than a Solaris patch, it is recommended that the old affected versions be removed from your system. To remove old affected versions on the Windows platform, please see:

http://java.com/en/download/help/uninstall_java.xml


This Sun Alert notification is being provided to you on an "AS IS" basis. This Sun Alert notification may contain information provided by third parties. The issues described in this Sun Alert notification may or may not impact your system(s). Sun makes no representations, warranties, or guarantees as to the information contained herein. ANY AND ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR NON-INFRINGEMENT, ARE HEREBY DISCLAIMED. BY ACCESSING THIS DOCUMENT YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT SUN SHALL IN NO EVENT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES THAT ARISE OUT OF YOUR USE OR FAILURE TO USE THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN. This Sun Alert notification contains Sun proprietary and confidential information. It is being provided to you pursuant to the provisions of your agreement to purchase services from Sun, or, if you do not have such an agreement, the Sun.com Terms of Use. This Sun Alert notification may only be used for the purposes contemplated by these agreements.

Copyright 2000-2006 Sun Microsystems, Inc., 4150 Network Circle, Santa Clara, CA 95054 U.S.A. All rights reserved.


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CIRC wishes to acknowledge the contributions of Sun Microsystems for the information contained in this bulletin.
DOE-CIRC can be contacted at: 
    Voice:          +1 866-941-2472 (7 x 24)
    E-mail:          doecirc@doecirc.energy.gov
    World Wide Web:  http://www.doecirc.energy.gov/