CVE-2007-5273 in JDK
Summary
by MITRE
Sun Java Runtime Environment (JRE) in JDK and JRE 6 Update 2 and earlier, JDK and JRE 5.0 Update 12 and earlier, SDK and JRE 1.4.2_15 and earlier, and SDK and JRE 1.3.1_20 and earlier, when an HTTP proxy server is used, allows remote attackers to violate the security model for an applet s outbound connections via a multi-pin DNS rebinding attack in which the applet download relies on DNS resolution on the proxy server, but the applet s socket operations rely on DNS resolution on the local machine, a different issue than CVE-2007-5274. NOTE: this is similar to CVE-2007-5232.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/27/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-5273 represents a critical security flaw in Sun Java Runtime Environment versions prior to specific update releases. This issue specifically affects Java Development Kits and Runtime Environments across multiple version lines including JDK/JRE 6 Update 2 and earlier, JDK/JRE 5.0 Update 12 and earlier, SDK/JRE 1.4.2_15 and earlier, and SDK/JRE 1.3.1_20 and earlier. The flaw manifests when Java applets operate within environments that utilize HTTP proxy servers, creating a fundamental security model violation that undermines the expected isolation between applet network operations and system security boundaries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability relies on a sophisticated DNS rebinding attack vector that exploits the inconsistent DNS resolution behavior between proxy server and local machine operations. When an applet is downloaded through an HTTP proxy server, the initial DNS resolution occurs on the proxy machine, establishing the connection path. However, subsequent socket operations performed by the applet utilize DNS resolution on the local machine, creating a potential pathway for attackers to manipulate network connections. This discrepancy allows malicious actors to bypass the security restrictions that normally prevent applets from establishing direct connections to arbitrary network endpoints, effectively breaking the sandboxed environment that Java applets are designed to operate within.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple network connectivity issues, representing a significant compromise of the Java security model that could enable various malicious activities. Attackers can leverage this flaw to perform unauthorized outbound connections from applets, potentially accessing internal network resources that should remain protected from external applet interactions. The vulnerability particularly affects environments where Java applets are executed within corporate networks or restricted environments where network access controls are critical for maintaining security boundaries. This flaw undermines the fundamental principle of applet security that prevents untrusted code from directly accessing network resources beyond the intended scope of the applet's execution context.
This vulnerability maps directly to CWE-284, which addresses improper access control in software systems, and relates to the broader category of security model violations in sandboxed execution environments. The attack pattern aligns with techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1059 category for command and scripting interpreter, specifically targeting the manipulation of network communication channels to bypass security controls. The similarity to CVE-2007-5232 indicates a pattern of DNS-related security flaws in Java implementations that exploit inconsistencies in network resolution behavior across different execution contexts.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected Java installations to versions that address the DNS resolution inconsistency issue. Organizations should implement network segmentation and proxy server configurations that prevent the specific DNS rebinding attack patterns that exploit this vulnerability. Security administrators should also consider disabling Java applet execution in environments where the vulnerability cannot be immediately patched, particularly in high-security or restricted network environments. The recommended approach includes updating all affected JRE and JDK installations to versions that have been patched against this specific DNS resolution inconsistency, along with implementing network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should review their proxy server configurations and network access controls to ensure that DNS resolution behavior is consistent across all network operations performed by Java applets.