CVE-2006-6745 in Java JRE
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple unspecified vulnerabilities in Sun Java Development Kit (JDK) and Java Runtime Environment (JRE) 5.0 Update 7 and earlier, and Java System Development Kit (SDK) and JRE 1.4.2_12 and earlier 1.4.x versions, allow attackers to develop Java applets or applications that are able to gain privileges, related to serialization in JRE.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/25/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-6745 represents a critical security flaw in multiple versions of Sun's Java Development Kit and Runtime Environment spanning both JDK 5.0 Update 7 and earlier versions, as well as Java SDK and JRE 1.4.2_12 and earlier 1.4.x releases. This issue specifically targets the serialization mechanisms within the Java runtime environment, which serves as a fundamental component for object persistence and network communication in Java applications. The vulnerability allows attackers to craft malicious Java applets or applications that can escalate privileges beyond the normal security boundaries imposed by the Java sandbox model.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies within the improper handling of serialized objects during the deserialization process within the JRE. When Java applications deserialize objects from untrusted sources, the system should enforce strict security checks to prevent malicious code execution. However, the flaw in these older Java versions permits attackers to exploit the serialization framework to bypass security restrictions. This weakness enables attackers to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, potentially allowing them to access sensitive system resources, modify files, or perform actions that should be restricted to authorized users only. The vulnerability specifically relates to CWE-502, which describes "Deserialization of Untrusted Data" as a critical weakness that can lead to remote code execution and privilege escalation attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching, particularly in enterprise environments where Java applets and applications are commonly deployed. Attackers can leverage this weakness to compromise systems through web-based attacks, where malicious applets are delivered via compromised websites or phishing campaigns. Once exploited, the vulnerability can provide attackers with the ability to execute code at the privilege level of the Java runtime, potentially leading to full system compromise. The widespread use of these older Java versions in corporate networks and web applications makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous, as it affects a large number of systems that may not have been updated to newer, secure versions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-6745 primarily involve immediate patching and updating of affected Java installations to versions that address the serialization flaws. Organizations should prioritize updating all systems running affected JDK and JRE versions to the latest secure releases, as Sun Microsystems (now Oracle) provided patches specifically addressing this vulnerability. Additionally, administrators should implement strict network controls to prevent execution of untrusted Java applets, disable Java plugin execution in web browsers, and consider implementing application whitelisting policies. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and secure deserialization practices as outlined in the ATT&CK framework under techniques related to privilege escalation and code injection. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all systems running affected Java versions and implement monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts.