CVE-2008-5346 in SDKJDK
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Java Runtime Environment (JRE) for Sun JDK and JRE 5.0 Update 16 and earlier; SDK and JRE 1.4.2_18 and earlier; and SDK and JRE 1.3.1_23 or earlier allows untrusted applets and applications to read arbitrary memory via a crafted ZIP file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/25/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-5346 represents a critical security flaw within the Java Runtime Environment that affects multiple versions of the JDK and JRE across different release lines. This issue manifests as an unspecified vulnerability that specifically targets the memory management mechanisms within Java's implementation, creating a potential pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system's memory handling capabilities. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects widely deployed Java components that are integral to enterprise applications and web-based services, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise systems running affected Java versions.
The technical flaw within this vulnerability stems from inadequate validation and handling of ZIP file structures within the Java runtime environment. When untrusted applets or applications process specially crafted ZIP files, the Java runtime fails to properly validate the file contents before attempting to read memory locations. This improper handling creates a memory access vulnerability that allows malicious code to bypass normal security boundaries and access arbitrary memory regions. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-125 as an out-of-bounds read, which occurs when the Java runtime attempts to read memory beyond the allocated boundaries of the ZIP file structure. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited through web-based applets, allowing remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on systems running vulnerable Java versions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple memory access issues, as it provides attackers with the capability to extract sensitive information from system memory, potentially including cryptographic keys, user credentials, and other confidential data. The vulnerability affects multiple Java versions simultaneously, including the widely used JDK 5.0 Update 16 and earlier, SDK and JRE 1.4.2_18 and earlier, and SDK and JRE 1.3.1_23 or earlier, which means that organizations running legacy systems are particularly at risk. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and script interpreter, as attackers could leverage the memory reading capabilities to extract information that could then be used to execute further attacks. The attack surface is significantly broadened by the fact that this vulnerability can be triggered through web-based applets, making it accessible to attackers without requiring local system access or specific privileges.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability must implement immediate mitigations to protect their systems from potential exploitation. The most effective approach involves applying the security patches released by Oracle to address the specific memory handling issues within the Java runtime environment. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing network-level restrictions to prevent untrusted applets from running in web browsers, particularly by disabling Java applet execution in browser environments. Security controls should include monitoring for suspicious memory access patterns and implementing proper input validation for all ZIP file processing within Java applications. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of keeping Java installations updated, as older versions of the runtime environment are more susceptible to such memory management flaws. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent the execution of untrusted Java applications and applets that could potentially exploit this vulnerability.