CVE-2004-1489 in Web Browser
Summary
by MITRE
Opera 7.54 and earlier does not properly limit an applet s access to internal Java packages from Sun, which allows remote attackers to gain sensitive information, such as user names and the installation directory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/30/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2004-1489 represents a critical security flaw in Opera web browser versions 7.54 and earlier that stems from improper sandboxing of Java applets. This issue specifically affects the browser's handling of applet security boundaries and demonstrates a fundamental failure in the isolation mechanisms that should protect users from potentially malicious code execution. The vulnerability exists within the browser's Java runtime environment integration, where applets are granted access to internal Java packages from Sun that should remain restricted to prevent unauthorized information disclosure.
The technical flaw manifests as a privilege escalation vulnerability that allows remote attackers to bypass the standard security restrictions imposed on Java applets. When Opera processes Java applets, it fails to properly enforce the security policies that normally prevent applets from accessing internal system information. This weakness enables attackers to extract sensitive data including user names and the browser installation directory, which provides attackers with valuable reconnaissance information for subsequent attacks. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-264 as a permissions, privileges, and access control weakness, specifically involving inadequate access control mechanisms for internal Java packages.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with the foundation for more sophisticated attacks. The exposure of user names and installation directories creates opportunities for social engineering attacks, credential harvesting, and targeted exploitation of known system configurations. Attackers can leverage this information to craft more convincing phishing attempts or to identify specific vulnerabilities within the browser installation. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Windows Scripting and T1082 for System Information Discovery, as it enables unauthorized access to system-level information that would normally be protected.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate browser updates to versions that properly enforce Java security boundaries and sandboxing mechanisms. Organizations should implement strict Java applet security policies that disable or restrict applet execution entirely, particularly for untrusted websites. Network administrators should consider deploying web application firewalls and content filtering solutions that can detect and block potentially malicious Java applet requests. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of executing untrusted Java content and encouraged to keep their browsers updated. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and demonstrates how legacy browser versions can contain critical flaws that remain exploitable for years after their initial discovery.