CVE-2008-5341 in SDKJDK
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Java Web Start (JWS) and Java Plug-in with Sun JDK and JRE 6 Update 10 and earlier, and JDK and JRE 5.0 Update 16 and earlier, allows untrusted JWS applications to obtain the pathname of the JWS cache and the application username via unknown vectors, aka CR 6727071.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/03/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-5341 represents a significant information disclosure weakness within Java Web Start and Java Plug-in components of Sun's Java Development Kit and Java Runtime Environment. This flaw affects versions prior to JDK/JRE 6 Update 10 and JDK/JRE 5.0 Update 16, creating potential exposure points where untrusted applications can gain unauthorized access to sensitive system information. The vulnerability specifically enables malicious or poorly designed applications to extract the pathname of the Java Web Start cache directory along with the application username, which constitutes a form of directory traversal or path disclosure attack that can be leveraged for further exploitation attempts.
The technical mechanism underlying this vulnerability involves the improper handling of file system paths and user context information within the Java Web Start and Java Plug-in execution environments. When untrusted applications execute within these components, they can potentially access internal system structures that should remain protected from external interference. This information disclosure occurs through unknown vectors that likely involve improper input validation or insufficient access controls within the Java runtime environment's security boundaries. The vulnerability falls under the category of information disclosure flaws that can provide attackers with insights into the target system's file structure and user context, enabling more sophisticated attack vectors.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a significant risk for systems running affected Java versions, particularly in enterprise environments where Java Web Start applications are commonly deployed. The disclosure of cache pathnames can expose the underlying file system structure to attackers, potentially revealing sensitive information about how Java applications are stored and managed on the system. Additionally, the exposure of application usernames can aid in social engineering attacks or help attackers craft more targeted phishing campaigns. The vulnerability can be exploited by malicious web applications that leverage the Java Web Start functionality, making it particularly dangerous in web-based attack scenarios where users might unknowingly execute compromised applications.
The security implications extend beyond simple information disclosure, as this vulnerability can serve as a foundation for more complex attacks. Attackers can use the disclosed cache path information to craft targeted attacks against specific cache locations or to identify system patterns that may reveal additional security weaknesses. The exposure of user context information can enable credential harvesting attacks or help attackers understand the privilege levels of various system users. This vulnerability is particularly concerning given that Java Web Start was widely used for deploying enterprise applications, making it a common attack surface across numerous organizations. The issue demonstrates the critical importance of proper sandboxing and access control mechanisms within application frameworks that handle untrusted code execution, as outlined in the CWE-200 standard for information disclosure vulnerabilities.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate version upgrades to patched releases of JDK and JRE, as well as implementing network-level controls to restrict access to Java Web Start functionality where possible. Organizations should also consider disabling Java Web Start in environments where it is not strictly required, and implement proper security monitoring to detect unauthorized access attempts to cache directories. The vulnerability underscores the necessity of maintaining up-to-date security patches and highlights the importance of the ATT&CK framework's approach to understanding how information disclosure vulnerabilities can be leveraged for subsequent exploitation phases. Regular security assessments should be conducted to identify and remediate similar weaknesses in Java-based application environments, ensuring that proper sandboxing mechanisms are in place to prevent unauthorized information access.