CVE-2010-2783 in IcedTea6
Summary
by MITRE
IcedTea6 before 1.7.4 allow unsigned apps to read and write arbitrary files, related to Extended JNLP Services.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/02/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-2783 affects IcedTea6 versions prior to 1.7.4 and represents a critical security flaw in the Java runtime environment that enables unsigned applications to bypass file system access restrictions. This vulnerability specifically targets the Extended JNLP Services implementation within the IcedTea6 project, which is an open-source implementation of the Java Platform, Standard Edition. The flaw allows malicious or untrusted unsigned applications to perform unauthorized read and write operations on arbitrary files within the system, effectively undermining the security model that Java applications traditionally rely upon for sandboxing.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation and access control mechanisms within the Extended JNLP Services framework. When unsigned applications attempt to access file system resources, the security checks that should normally prevent such operations are bypassed due to a flaw in the permission validation logic. This allows the malicious application to directly manipulate files without proper authorization, potentially leading to data corruption, information disclosure, or system compromise. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-284 Access Control, which specifically addresses improper access control mechanisms that allow unauthorized access to resources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant and far-reaching across multiple deployment scenarios. Attackers can exploit this flaw by crafting malicious unsigned applications that leverage the Extended JNLP Services to perform unauthorized file operations, potentially gaining access to sensitive system files, user data, or configuration files. This vulnerability particularly affects web-based Java applet deployments where users may unknowingly execute malicious unsigned code, making it a prime target for phishing attacks and drive-by downloads. The vulnerability also impacts desktop applications that utilize Extended JNLP Services for application deployment and management.
From an attacker perspective, this vulnerability aligns with several techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the Tactic of Execution and Persistence. The ability to write arbitrary files enables attackers to establish persistence mechanisms, modify system configurations, or deploy additional malicious components. The vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including malicious web content, compromised websites, or social engineering campaigns that trick users into executing unsigned Java applications. Organizations deploying IcedTea6 applications should consider this vulnerability as a critical threat that could lead to complete system compromise if not addressed promptly.
The recommended mitigations for CVE-2010-2783 involve immediate upgrading to IcedTea6 version 1.7.4 or later, which contains the necessary security patches to address the Extended JNLP Services access control flaw. Additionally, administrators should implement strict Java security policies that limit the permissions granted to unsigned applications, disable unnecessary Extended JNLP Services where possible, and conduct regular security assessments of Java-based applications. Network administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls and content filtering solutions to prevent execution of malicious unsigned Java content. Organizations should also review their Java deployment configurations and ensure that proper security boundaries are maintained between trusted and untrusted code execution environments. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies for Java-based applications.