CVE-2011-0871 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, integrity, and availability via unknown vectors related to Swing.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/08/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-0871 represents a critical security flaw within the Java Runtime Environment component of Oracle Java SE versions prior to specific update releases. This weakness specifically affects Java Web Start applications and applets that originate from untrusted sources, creating a significant attack surface that could be exploited by malicious actors to compromise systems. The vulnerability resides within the Swing graphical user interface framework component of the Java platform, which is extensively used across enterprise applications and web deployments. The unspecified nature of the exact vector mechanisms makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it may encompass multiple attack pathways that are not fully documented in the initial disclosure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient security controls within the Swing component of the Java Runtime Environment, which fails to properly isolate or validate untrusted code executed through Java Web Start applications or applets. When users interact with malicious Java content, the vulnerable Swing framework may allow unauthorized code execution that can manipulate system resources, access sensitive data, or disrupt normal operations. This flaw operates at the core of Java's security model where trusted code execution contexts are compromised by untrusted content, potentially enabling privilege escalation or lateral movement within affected systems. The vulnerability's impact extends across multiple Java versions, indicating a fundamental issue within the Swing component architecture that was not adequately addressed through the affected release cycles.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-0871 is severe and multifaceted, affecting the fundamental security tenets of confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could potentially access confidential information through data exfiltration mechanisms, modify system configurations or application data, and disrupt availability through denial-of-service conditions. The widespread adoption of Java Swing components in enterprise applications means that successful exploitation could affect numerous business-critical systems. Organizations running affected Java versions face potential exposure to remote code execution attacks, privilege escalation scenarios, and comprehensive system compromise. The vulnerability's presence in Java Web Start applications is particularly concerning as these applications often run with elevated privileges and may be automatically executed without user awareness.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-0871 require immediate action to upgrade affected Java installations to patched versions that address the identified Swing component vulnerabilities. System administrators should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all Java installations are updated to the latest secure releases. Network segmentation and application whitelisting can provide additional defense-in-depth measures to limit exposure of vulnerable systems. The implementation of Java security policies and the restriction of untrusted Java applet execution through browser security settings can help reduce attack surface. Organizations should also consider disabling Java applet support entirely where possible, as this eliminates the vector entirely. This vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including privilege escalation and defense evasion, while mapping to CWE categories related to insufficient input validation and insecure library usage within the Java runtime environment.