CVE-2011-0867 in JRE
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) component in Oracle Java SE 6 Update 25 and earlier, 5.0 Update 29 and earlier, and 1.4.2_31 and earlier allows remote untrusted Java Web Start applications and untrusted Java applets to affect confidentiality via unknown vectors related to Networking.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/08/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-0867 represents a critical security flaw within Oracle's Java Runtime Environment that affects multiple versions of Java SE. This issue specifically targets the networking components of the JRE and impacts Java Web Start applications as well as Java applets that are executed in untrusted environments. The vulnerability's classification as unspecified means that the exact technical details of the flaw were not fully disclosed in the initial advisory, creating uncertainty for security professionals attempting to assess risk and implement appropriate countermeasures. The affected versions include Java SE 6 Update 25 and earlier, Java SE 5.0 Update 29 and earlier, and Java SE 1.4.2_31 and earlier, indicating this weakness has persisted across multiple major releases of the Java platform. The networking-related nature of the vulnerability suggests potential exposure during network communication operations when executing untrusted code.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the execution of malicious Java Web Start applications or applets that are not properly trusted or sandboxed. When these untrusted applications attempt to perform networking operations, they can potentially compromise the confidentiality of information within the system. This weakness falls under the broader category of network-based attacks that leverage Java's networking APIs to bypass security restrictions. The vulnerability's impact on confidentiality means that sensitive data could be intercepted, modified, or accessed without proper authorization, particularly when network communications are involved. Security researchers have identified this issue as potentially allowing for data leakage or manipulation during network operations initiated by malicious code within the Java runtime environment.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-0867 extends beyond simple data exposure, as it represents a fundamental weakness in Java's security model for handling untrusted code execution. Organizations running affected Java versions face significant risk when users access web applications or execute downloaded Java content, as these scenarios provide attack vectors for adversaries to exploit the networking components. The vulnerability's presence in multiple Java versions indicates that it may have been present for an extended period, potentially allowing attackers to develop sophisticated exploitation techniques. System administrators must consider that users interacting with legitimate web applications that utilize Java applets or Web Start functionality could inadvertently expose their systems to this vulnerability. The potential for remote code execution through network-based attacks makes this a particularly concerning weakness in enterprise environments where Java is widely deployed.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-0867 primarily focus on immediate version upgrades to patched releases of Oracle Java SE, as the vulnerability affects multiple legacy versions that should no longer be in production use. Organizations should implement strict Java security policies that disable or restrict execution of untrusted Java applets and Web Start applications, particularly in high-risk environments. Network-level controls such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help monitor and restrict suspicious network traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The implementation of Java security managers and strict security policies within the JRE configuration provides additional layers of protection. System administrators should also consider disabling Java entirely on systems where it is not required for business operations, as this eliminates the attack surface entirely. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should include checks for affected Java versions to ensure comprehensive protection against this and similar networking-related vulnerabilities. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-254 and ATT&CK techniques related to privilege escalation and network infiltration, emphasizing the need for layered security approaches.