CVE-2011-0788 in JRE
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) component in Oracle Java SE 6 Update 25 and earlier, when running on Windows, allows remote untrusted Java Web Start applications and untrusted Java applets to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability via unknown vectors related to Deployment, a different vulnerability than CVE-2011-0786.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/08/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-0788 represents a critical security flaw within Oracle Java SE 6 Update 25 and earlier versions when operating on Windows platforms. This weakness specifically targets the Java Runtime Environment component and manifests through Java Web Start applications and applets that originate from untrusted sources. The vulnerability operates within the Deployment framework of Java, which handles the execution and management of Java applications downloaded from remote sources. Unlike CVE-2011-0786 which addressed different aspects of the same deployment mechanism, this flaw specifically exploits the interaction between untrusted Java applications and the Windows operating system environment.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate security controls within the Java Deployment subsystem that governs how untrusted Java applications execute on Windows systems. When users launch untrusted Java Web Start applications or view untrusted Java applets within web browsers, the affected JRE versions fail to properly isolate these potentially malicious code segments from the underlying operating system. This failure creates opportunities for attackers to exploit the deployment framework to execute arbitrary code, manipulate system resources, or otherwise compromise the security posture of affected systems. The vulnerability's impact spans all three fundamental security principles defined by the CIA triad, enabling attackers to compromise confidentiality through data exfiltration, integrity through system modification, and availability through denial-of-service conditions.
From an operational perspective, the exploitation of CVE-2011-0788 presents significant risks to enterprise environments where Java applications are commonly deployed. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through web-based attack vectors, making it accessible to adversaries who can craft malicious web pages or Java applications designed to exploit this weakness. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access, escalate privileges, or deploy additional malware payloads within compromised systems. The Windows-specific nature of this vulnerability means that organizations running Java applications on Windows platforms are particularly at risk, especially in environments where users frequently interact with untrusted web content or download applications from unknown sources.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including mandatory Java updates to versions beyond Update 25, deployment of Java security policies that restrict untrusted application execution, and network-level controls that block Java applet execution in web browsers. The vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation. Security teams should also consider implementing application whitelisting controls and monitoring for suspicious Java process execution patterns. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability relates to CWE-264, which covers permissions, privileges, and access control issues, specifically within the context of deployment frameworks and application sandboxing mechanisms. Organizations must prioritize patch management processes and ensure comprehensive testing of Java applications before deployment to prevent exploitation of this and similar vulnerabilities.