CVE-2005-1974 in OpenView
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Java 2 Platform, Standard Edition (J2SE) 5.0 and 5.0 Update 1 and J2SE 1.4.2 up to 1.4.2_07, as used in multiple products and platforms including (1) HP-UX and (2) APC PowerChute, allows applications to assign permissions to themselves and gain privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/30/2025
This vulnerability resides within the Java 2 Platform Standard Edition implementations where applications can exploit a privilege escalation mechanism through improper permission handling. The flaw exists in the security model of java 142 through 142_07 and java 50 through 50 update 1 versions, creating a scenario where malicious code can assign permissions to itself without proper authorization checks. The vulnerability stems from inadequate sandbox restrictions that allow applications to manipulate their own security permissions, effectively bypassing the intended security boundaries. This issue affects multiple platforms including hp-ux operating systems and apc powerchute software implementations that rely on java runtime environments.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the java security manager's permission system where applications can call the permission class to grant themselves additional privileges. This flaw allows attackers to escalate their privileges from restricted application contexts to elevated system access levels. The vulnerability specifically targets the java security architecture's trust model where applications can manipulate permission assignments without proper validation. According to CWE classification, this represents a weakness in the security model or architecture where access controls are improperly enforced. The vulnerability enables a form of privilege escalation that aligns with attack patterns described in the attack tree framework where applications can gain unauthorized access to system resources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows attackers to execute malicious code with elevated privileges that would normally be restricted. Systems running affected java versions become vulnerable to privilege escalation attacks where malicious applications can bypass security restrictions. The attack surface includes any application that uses java 142_07 or java 50 update 1 and earlier versions, particularly those running on hp-ux systems or using apc powerchute software. This vulnerability can enable attackers to perform actions such as file system access, network operations, and system-level modifications that would normally require administrator privileges. The vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including web applications, desktop applications, and system services that utilize the vulnerable java runtime environments.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of affected java versions to the latest security updates provided by oracle. Organizations should implement strict java runtime environment monitoring and restrict application permissions where possible. The recommended approach includes upgrading to java 50 update 2 or later versions that address this vulnerability through enhanced permission validation mechanisms. System administrators should also implement application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of unauthorized java applications. Additional security controls such as java security policy files and restricted execution environments can help mitigate the risk. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper privilege management and access control enforcement as outlined in security best practices. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all systems running affected java versions and implement immediate remediation measures to prevent exploitation attempts.