CVE-2008-3111 in Sun
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple buffer overflows in Sun Java Web Start in JDK and JRE 6 before Update 4, JDK and JRE 5.0 before Update 16, and SDK and JRE 1.4.x before 1.4.2_18 allow context-dependent attackers to gain privileges via an untrusted application, as demonstrated by (a) an application that grants itself privileges to (1) read local files, (2) write to local files, or (3) execute local programs; and as demonstrated by (b) a long value associated with a java-vm-args attribute in a j2se tag in a JNLP file, which triggers a stack-based buffer overflow in the GetVMArgsOption function; aka CR 6557220.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/13/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-3111 represents a critical security flaw in Sun Java Web Start functionality across multiple versions of the Java Development Kit and Java Runtime Environment. This issue affects JDK and JRE 6 before Update 4, JDK and JRE 5.0 before Update 16, and SDK and JRE 1.4.x before 1.4.2_18, creating a widespread attack surface that could be exploited by malicious actors. The vulnerability manifests through buffer overflow conditions that occur when processing untrusted Java Network Launch Protocol files, specifically targeting the GetVMArgsOption function within the Java Web Start implementation. The flaw enables context-dependent attackers to escalate privileges and gain unauthorized access to local system resources through carefully crafted JNLP applications.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through two primary attack vectors that leverage different aspects of Java Web Start's processing mechanisms. The first vector involves applications that manipulate the privilege model to gain unauthorized access to local files, enabling attackers to read sensitive data or write to arbitrary locations on the filesystem. The second and more direct attack vector targets a stack-based buffer overflow within the GetVMArgsOption function, triggered by providing an excessively long value in the java-vm-args attribute within a j2se tag of a JNLP file. This overflow condition allows attackers to overwrite stack memory and potentially execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates within the Java Web Start framework, which is designed to launch applications from remote sources, making it a prime target for remote exploitation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass significant system compromise capabilities. Attackers who successfully exploit this flaw can gain the ability to read local files, write to local files, and execute local programs, effectively providing them with complete control over the victim's system. This capability aligns with the common attack patterns documented in the ATT&CK framework under privilege escalation and persistence tactics, where adversaries seek to establish footholds with elevated permissions. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal user interaction since it can be triggered through web-based JNLP files, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns or drive-by download scenarios. Organizations running affected Java versions face substantial risk of data breaches, system compromise, and potential lateral movement within their networks.
The underlying technical flaw stems from inadequate input validation and memory management within the Java Web Start implementation, specifically within the GetVMArgsOption function that processes command-line arguments for Java Virtual Machine execution. This represents a classic buffer overflow vulnerability that falls under the CWE-121 category of stack-based buffer overflow conditions. The vulnerability's exploitation demonstrates the importance of proper bounds checking in memory management operations and highlights the risks associated with legacy Java implementations that lack modern security hardening features. Security researchers have noted that the vulnerability's impact is exacerbated by the widespread use of Java Web Start in enterprise environments and the tendency for users to execute untrusted Java applications without proper sandboxing. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including patching affected Java versions, disabling Java Web Start functionality where possible, and implementing network-level controls to prevent execution of potentially malicious JNLP files from untrusted sources. The vulnerability also underscores the necessity of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing robust application whitelisting policies to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities in legacy software components.