CVE-2011-3516 in JRE
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the Java Runtime Environment component in Oracle Java SE JDK and JRE 6 Update 27 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.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/03/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3516 represents a critical security flaw within Oracle Java SE JDK and JRE 6 Update 27 and earlier versions when operating on Windows platforms. This weakness specifically affects the Deployment component of Java Runtime Environment, which handles the execution of Java Web Start applications and applets. The vulnerability's unspecified nature indicates that the exact technical mechanism remains undisclosed, though it fundamentally compromises the security boundaries that protect systems from malicious code execution. The affected environment creates a pathway for attackers to exploit the Java runtime through trusted application interfaces, leveraging the inherent trust model of Java applets and Web Start applications.
The technical flaw resides within the Java Deployment component's insufficient validation and isolation mechanisms when processing untrusted Java content. This vulnerability allows malicious actors to craft specially designed Java Web Start applications or applets that can bypass normal security restrictions imposed by the Java runtime environment. The attack vector specifically targets the Windows implementation of Java SE, suggesting that the flaw may be related to Windows-specific security features or API interactions that are not properly enforced during Java content execution. The unspecified nature of the vulnerability's exploitation mechanism indicates that it could potentially involve multiple attack surfaces within the deployment subsystem, including memory corruption, privilege escalation, or information disclosure vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-3516 extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass all three fundamental security properties defined by the CIA triad. Confidentiality is compromised as attackers can potentially extract sensitive information from systems running vulnerable Java versions, while integrity suffers through the execution of unauthorized code that can modify system files, registry entries, or application data. Availability is also at risk as malicious code could potentially cause system crashes, resource exhaustion, or denial of service conditions through the exploitation of the vulnerability. The attack surface is particularly concerning because Java applets and Web Start applications are commonly used in enterprise environments and web applications, making the potential impact widespread across various organizational systems.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of the broader Java security landscape and its alignment with common attack patterns documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly within the execution and privilege escalation phases. The vulnerability's classification under CWE (Common Weakness Enumeration) would likely fall under categories related to insufficient input validation or security boundary violations in deployment components. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems, implementing network segmentation to limit Java content execution, and deploying application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of untrusted Java applications. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining current Java installations and implementing comprehensive security monitoring to detect unauthorized Java content execution attempts. Additionally, administrators should review and restrict Java Web Start and applet execution policies in browsers and system configurations to minimize exposure to this and similar vulnerabilities.