CVE-2008-3104 in Sun
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple unspecified vulnerabilities in Sun Java Runtime Environment (JRE) in JDK and JRE 6 before Update 7, JDK and JRE 5.0 before Update 16, SDK and JRE 1.4.x before 1.4.2_18, and SDK and JRE 1.3.x before 1.3.1_23 allow remote attackers to violate the security model for an applet s outbound connections by connecting to localhost services running on the machine that loaded the applet.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/13/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-3104 represents a critical security flaw in multiple versions of Sun Java Runtime Environment that affects JDK and JRE versions prior to specific update releases. This issue impacts Java versions 6 before update 7, Java 5.0 before update 16, Java 1.4.x before 1.4.2_18, and Java 1.3.x before 1.3.1_23, creating a significant risk for applications that rely on Java applets for execution. The vulnerability specifically targets the security model implementation within the Java runtime environment, which is designed to prevent applets from accessing local system resources without explicit permission.
The technical flaw involves a weakness in the Java security sandbox mechanism that governs how applets interact with the underlying operating system. When a Java applet is loaded and executed, it should be restricted from making direct connections to localhost services on the machine that loaded the applet. However, this vulnerability allows remote attackers to bypass these security restrictions and establish outbound connections to services running on the local machine. The flaw essentially permits a malicious applet to circumvent the standard security boundaries that should prevent it from accessing local resources, effectively creating a path for unauthorized local system access.
This vulnerability has substantial operational impact as it undermines the fundamental security model that protects users from malicious applets. Attackers can exploit this weakness to access local services, potentially including databases, web servers, or other sensitive applications running on the same machine. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires no local privileges or user interaction beyond loading a malicious applet, making it a serious threat to enterprise environments where Java applets are commonly deployed. The vulnerability can be leveraged to perform reconnaissance, extract sensitive data, or even execute arbitrary commands on the local system, depending on the services available.
The security implications extend beyond simple privilege escalation as this vulnerability can be exploited to bypass network security controls that rely on the assumption that local services are not accessible to remote applets. Organizations using Java applets for web applications face significant risk, particularly in environments where multiple services run locally or where the local system hosts sensitive data. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control issues, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege in the Java security model. The attack pattern fits within ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers local privilege escalation, though in this case the escalation occurs through network-based applet execution rather than local system compromise.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigation strategies including updating to patched versions of the affected Java runtime environments, disabling Java applet execution in web browsers, and implementing network segmentation to limit access to local services. The recommended approach involves deploying the latest security patches for each affected Java version, configuring network firewalls to restrict access to localhost services, and conducting thorough security assessments to identify any potentially compromised systems. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing Java sandboxing policies and monitoring for suspicious network activity that could indicate exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability allows for covert access to local system resources without traditional indicators of compromise.