SkipNavigation
Home | FAQ | Contact | Privacy Policy
US-CERT
American Flag
  Vulnerability
Notes
Database

Search Vulnerability Notes

Vulnerability Notes Help Information


 
 View Notes By
  Name

ID Number

CVE Name

Date Public

Date Published

Date Updated

Severity Metric
 Other Documents
  Technical Alerts

Technical Bulletins

Alerts

Security Tips

Vulnerability Note VU#974188

Sun Java Runtime Environment "reflection" API privilege elevation vulnerabilities

Overview

Multiple vulnerabilities in the Sun Java Reflection API may allow an untrusted Java applet to bypass security restrictions and execute arbitrary code.

I. Description

The Sun Java Reflection API allows Java classes to determine information about other Java classes, such as public methods. There are three, unspecified vulnerabilities in the Reflection API that may allow a Java applet to bypass Java applet security restrictions. Once the security restrictions are bypassed, the malicious applet may be able to access and manipulate system resources.

For more information on the Java security model see Sun's Java documentation, particularly the Applet Security FAQ. For more information regarding these vulnerabilities and how to correct them, please refer to Sun Alert 102003.

II. Impact

By convincing a user to run a Java applet, a remote, unauthenticated attacker may be able to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the applet. Web browsers with Java support may run applets from untrusted web sites.

III. Solution

Upgrade Java

Sun has released two separate updates to correct these issues. Sun Alert 102003 describes the following patches:

    The first issue is addressed in the following releases:
    • SDK and JRE 1.3.1_16 and later
    • SDK and JRE 1.4.2_09 and later
    • JDK and JRE 5.0 Update 4 and later
Do not access Java Applets from untrusted sources

Attackers must deliver a malicious Java applet to a vulnerable system in order to take advantage of this vulnerability. By only accessing Java applets from known and trusted sources the chances of exploitation are reduced.

Disable Java in web browser

Java applets are commonly executed within a web browser. Disabling Java within the web browser may prevent an attacker from delivering a malicious applet to a vulnerable system.

Systems Affected

VendorStatusDate NotifiedDate Updated
Sun Microsystems, Inc.Vulnerable29-Nov-2005

References


http://sunsolve.sun.com/search/document.do?assetkey=1-26-102003-1
http://java.sun.com/docs/books/tutorial/reflect/
http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.3/docs/guide/reflection/
http://secunia.com/advisories/17748/

Credit

These vulnerabilities were reported by Sun Microsystems. Sun credits Adam Gowdiak, with providing information regarding these issues.

This document was written by Jeff Gennari.

Other Information

Date Public:2005-11-28
Date First Published:2005-12-02
Date Last Updated:2006-01-13
CERT Advisory: 
CVE-ID(s):CVE-2005-3906
NVD-ID(s):CVE-2005-3906
US-CERT Technical Alerts: 
Metric:26.32
Document Revision:57

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us email.
 

 
Page Corner Image
Produced 2005 by US-CERT, a government organization
Disclaimers and copyright information
Get Adobe Reader Get Adobe Reader