CVE-2011-0873 in JRE
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) component in Oracle Java SE 6 Update 25 and earlier, and 5.0 Update 29 and earlier, allows remote attackers to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability via unknown vectors related to 2D.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/08/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-0873 represents a critical security flaw within the Java Runtime Environment component of Oracle Java SE versions 6 Update 25 and earlier, as well as 5.0 Update 29 and earlier. This unspecified weakness resides within the 2D graphics rendering subsystem of the JRE, which forms a fundamental component of Java's multimedia and graphical capabilities. The vulnerability's classification as unspecified indicates that the exact technical mechanism remains undisclosed, though its impact spans all three core principles of information security confidentiality integrity and availability. The 2D graphics functionality in Java applications relies heavily on the JRE's ability to render complex graphical elements including shapes text and images through various rendering pipelines that may be susceptible to exploitation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data compromise to encompass complete system integrity and availability risks. Attackers leveraging this flaw could potentially execute arbitrary code within the context of the JRE process, which typically operates with elevated privileges on the target system. The 2D graphics component's extensive use in web applications and desktop software means that exploitation could occur through various attack vectors including malicious web applets or downloaded Java applications. The vulnerability's potential for remote exploitation makes it particularly dangerous as it could be triggered through web browsers or other Java-enabled applications without requiring local system access. This characteristic aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for scripting languages and T1203 for exploitation for execution, as attackers could leverage the 2D rendering capabilities to achieve code execution.
The security implications of CVE-2011-0873 demonstrate the inherent risks associated with complex graphical rendering systems within runtime environments. The 2D graphics subsystem in Java JREs handles numerous rendering operations including vector graphics rasterization and image processing that could contain memory corruption vulnerabilities. These types of flaws often stem from insufficient input validation or improper memory management within graphics libraries and typically fall under CWE categories related to buffer overflows or memory corruption. The vulnerability's presence in both Java 5.0 and 6.0 versions indicates a widespread issue affecting multiple generations of the platform, making the attack surface particularly broad. Organizations running affected JRE versions face significant risk of unauthorized access and system compromise through web-based attacks that target the 2D graphics rendering functionality.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-0873 primarily focus on immediate version updates and application hardening measures. Oracle's recommended approach involves upgrading to Java SE 6 Update 26 or later versions for Java 6 installations and Java 5.0 Update 30 or later for Java 5.0 deployments. This update process addresses the underlying 2D graphics rendering issues that enable exploitation. Network-level defenses should include disabling Java plugin execution in web browsers when not required, implementing application whitelisting policies, and utilizing sandboxing technologies to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Security professionals should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that monitor for suspicious Java-related activity and network traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification under the broader category of Java runtime security flaws highlights the importance of maintaining current security patches and regularly auditing Java installations within enterprise environments. Organizations should also implement security awareness training to help prevent users from inadvertently executing malicious Java content that could exploit this vulnerability.