CVE-2008-5342 in SDKJDK
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the BasicService for Java Web Start (JWS) and Java Plug-in with Sun JDK and JRE 6 Update 10 and earlier; JDK and JRE 5.0 Update 16 and earlier; and SDK and JRE 1.4.2_18 and earlier allows untrusted downloaded applications to cause local files to be displayed in the browser of the user of the untrusted application via unknown vectors, aka 6767668.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/03/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-5342 represents a critical security flaw within the Java Web Start (JWS) and Java Plug-in components of various Java Runtime Environment versions. This issue affects multiple Java versions including JDK and JRE 6 Update 10 and earlier, JDK and JRE 5.0 Update 16 and earlier, as well as SDK and JRE 1.4.2_18 and earlier versions. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation mechanisms that allow malicious applications to exploit the trust model of the Java runtime environment, creating potential attack vectors for unauthorized access and information disclosure.
The technical flaw manifests through unspecified vectors that enable untrusted downloaded applications to manipulate the browser environment of users who execute these applications. This occurs within the BasicService component of Java Web Start which handles the execution and security boundaries of Java applications. The vulnerability essentially allows a malicious application to bypass normal security restrictions and potentially access local files or display content in ways that violate the expected security boundaries. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-284 access control weakness category, specifically related to insufficient access control mechanisms in trusted application contexts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows attackers to execute unauthorized file access operations within the user's browser environment. When users download and execute untrusted Java applications, the vulnerability enables these applications to display local files in the browser, potentially exposing sensitive information such as system files, configuration data, or personal documents. This creates a scenario where a user's local system becomes vulnerable to information disclosure attacks without their knowledge or consent, effectively breaking the security isolation that should exist between trusted and untrusted applications.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for application execution and T1566 for credential access through social engineering. The attack chain typically involves delivering a malicious Java application through phishing or compromised websites, where users unknowingly execute the application. The vulnerability enables the malicious application to leverage the browser's display capabilities to reveal local file contents, potentially leading to further exploitation or information gathering. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that Java Web Start applications are often executed with elevated privileges and trusted by users who may not realize the security implications of running such applications.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate patching of affected Java versions to the latest security updates, implementing strict application whitelisting policies, and disabling Java Web Start functionality where possible. Organizations should also consider implementing network-level controls to restrict access to potentially malicious Java applications and educate users about the risks of executing untrusted Java content. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date Java installations and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect against similar cross-platform security issues that could compromise user systems and data integrity.