Sun Java Plugin Arbitrary Package Access Vulnerability iDEFENSE Security Advisory 11.22.04 www.idefense.com/application/poi/display?id=158&type=vulnerabilities November 22, 2004 I. BACKGROUND Java Plug-in technology, included as part of the Java 2 Runtime Environment, Standard Edition (JRE), establishes a connection between popular browsers and the Java platform. This connection enables applets on Web sites to be run within a browser on the desktop. More information about Java Plug-in technology is available from http://java.sun.com/products/plugin/. II. DESCRIPTION Remote exploitation of a design vulnerability in Sun Microsystems Inc.'s Java Plug-in technology allows attackers to bypass the Java sandbox and all security restrictions imposed within Java Applets. A number of private Java packages exist within the Java Virtual Machine (VM) and are used internally by the VM. Security restrictions prevent Applets from accessing these packages. Any attempt to access these packages, results in a thrown exception of 'AccessControlException', unless the Applet is signed and the user has chosen to trust the issuer. The problem specifically exists within the access controls of the Java to Javascript data exchange in web browsers using Sun's Java Plug-in technology. The vulnerability allows Javascript code to load an unsafe class which should not normally be possible from a Java Applet. III. ANALYSIS Successful exploitation allows remote attackers to execute hostile Applets that can access, download, upload or execute arbitrary files as well as access the network. A target user must be running a browser on top of a vulnerable Java Virtual Machine to be affected. It is possible for an attacker to create a cross-platform, cross-browser exploit for this vulnerability. Once compromised, an attacker can execute arbitrary code under the privileges of the user who instantiated the vulnerable browser. IV. DETECTION iDEFENSE has confirmed the existence of this vulnerability in Java 2 Platform, Standard Edition (J2SE) 1.4.2_01 and 1.4.2_04 from Sun Microsystems. It is suspected that earlier versions are vulnerable as well. Various browsers such as Internet Explorer, Mozilla and Firefox on both Windows and Unix platforms can be exploited if they are running a vulnerable Java Virtual Machine. V. WORKAROUND Disabling Java or JavaScript will prevent exploitation as the vulnerability relies on the data transfer between the two components. Other Java Virtual Machines, such as the Microsoft VM, are available and can be used as an alternative. VI. VENDOR RESPONSE This issue has been fixed in J2SE v 1.4.2_06 available at: http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.4.2/download.html VII. CVE INFORMATION The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) project has assigned the name CAN-2004-1029 to this issue. This is a candidate for inclusion in the CVE list (http://cve.mitre.org), which standardizes names for security problems. VIII. DISCLOSURE TIMELINE 06/29/2004 Initial vendor notification 06/30/2004 Initial vendor response 08/16/2004 iDEFENSE clients notified 11/22/2004 Public disclosure IX. CREDIT Jouko Pynnonen (jouko[at]iki.fi) is credited with this discovery. Get paid for vulnerability research http://www.idefense.com/poi/teams/vcp.jsp X. LEGAL NOTICES Copyright (c) 2004 iDEFENSE, Inc. Permission is granted for the redistribution of this alert electronically. It may not be edited in any way without the express written consent of iDEFENSE. If you wish to reprint the whole or any part of this alert in any other medium other than electronically, please email customerservice@idefense.com for permission. Disclaimer: The information in the advisory is believed to be accurate at the time of publishing based on currently available information. Use of the information constitutes acceptance for use in an AS IS condition. There are no warranties with regard to this information. Neither the author nor the publisher accepts any liability for any direct, indirect, or consequential loss or damage arising from use of, or reliance on, this information. Reproducible: Always Steps to Reproduce: 1. 2. 3. 1.4.2_06 is the earliest version of the j2se that is free of this vulnerability, please bump the package to this version.
Java please confirm/debunk this one.
sun-jdk/jre is at 1.4.2_06
RCE seems to be possible upgrading severity.
Proposing combined GLSA with Blackdown bug #72221.
Adjusting severity code : Sun JDK is quite used = A Passive compromise (needs defender to download untrusted applet) = 2 On combined GLSA idea : Depends on whether we get a stable mark there fast enough, but good idea
GLSA drafted, still waiting on blackdown stable
GLSA 200411-38
