CVE-2010-4467 in JDK
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) in Oracle Java SE and Java for Business 6 Update 10 through 6 Update 23 allows remote untrusted Java Web Start applications and untrusted Java applets to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability via unknown vectors related to Deployment.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/17/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-4467 represents a critical security flaw within Oracle's Java Runtime Environment that affects Java SE and Java for Business versions 6 Update 10 through 6 Update 23. This issue resides within the Deployment component of the JRE, which handles the execution of Java Web Start applications and applets. The unspecified nature of the vulnerability vectors makes it particularly concerning as it could potentially encompass multiple attack surfaces within the Java deployment framework. The vulnerability allows untrusted Java applications to compromise the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of systems, indicating a severe impact on overall system security posture. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of deployment-related flaws that can be exploited through web-based Java applications, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users frequently interact with web content.
The technical flaw within the Deployment component of Java SE 6 Update 10 through 6 Update 23 stems from inadequate security controls that permit untrusted Java Web Start applications and applets to execute with elevated privileges or access system resources beyond their intended scope. These applications typically operate under sandbox restrictions designed to prevent malicious code from accessing sensitive system components, but this vulnerability appears to bypass or weaken these security boundaries. The attack vectors related to Deployment suggest that the flaw may involve improper validation of application signatures, inadequate isolation mechanisms between trusted and untrusted code, or vulnerabilities in the Java security manager implementation. This weakness enables attackers to craft malicious Java applications that can manipulate system data, intercept communications, or disrupt system operations without proper authorization.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-4467 extends beyond simple exploitation as it represents a fundamental weakness in Java's security architecture that can be leveraged across multiple attack scenarios. Organizations running affected Java versions face significant risks including data breaches through confidentiality violations, system corruption through integrity compromises, and potential denial of service attacks that can disrupt business operations. The vulnerability's ability to affect all three pillars of cybersecurity - confidentiality, integrity, and availability - makes it particularly dangerous as it can be used for comprehensive attacks rather than isolated incidents. This vulnerability is especially concerning in enterprise environments where Java applets and Web Start applications are commonly used for business applications, making the attack surface substantial and potentially affecting numerous users across the organization. The unspecified nature of the vectors means that attackers could potentially exploit various components within the Deployment framework, making defensive measures more challenging.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-4467 should focus on immediate remediation through patching Oracle's Java SE 6 Update 10 through 6 Update 23 to the latest available versions that contain security fixes for the Deployment component. Organizations should implement strict Java security policies that disable untrusted applets and Web Start applications, particularly those from untrusted sources. The deployment of Java security managers and careful configuration of security policies can help limit the impact of potentially malicious applications. Network-level controls such as firewalls and web application firewalls should be configured to restrict access to Java-enabled content where possible. Additionally, user education programs should emphasize the importance of avoiding untrusted Java applications and Web Start content. From a compliance perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-242, which addresses the use of potentially dangerous functions, and may relate to ATT&CK technique T1059 for execution through Java applets. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting solutions to prevent execution of unapproved Java applications, and maintain comprehensive monitoring to detect any suspicious Java activity that might indicate exploitation attempts.