CVE-2011-3544 in JRE
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the Java Runtime Environment component in Oracle Java SE JDK and JRE 7 and 6 Update 27 and earlier allows remote untrusted Java Web Start applications and untrusted Java applets to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability via unknown vectors related to Scripting.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/22/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3544 represents a critical security flaw within Oracle's Java Runtime Environment affecting Java SE JDK and JRE versions 7 and 6 Update 27 and earlier. This issue specifically impacts the scripting component of Java and allows remote untrusted applications to potentially compromise system security through Java Web Start applications and applets. The vulnerability falls under the broader category of Java security flaws that have historically posed significant risks to enterprise environments and individual users alike.
The technical nature of this vulnerability lies within the scripting functionality of the Java Runtime Environment, where untrusted code execution can lead to unauthorized access and manipulation of system resources. The unspecified vectors related to scripting suggest that the flaw may involve multiple attack surfaces within the scripting engine, potentially including issues with script parsing, execution context handling, or memory management within the Java scripting framework. This type of vulnerability often stems from inadequate input validation or improper handling of untrusted code within the Java security sandbox, creating potential pathways for privilege escalation or code injection attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-3544 extends beyond simple confidentiality breaches to encompass integrity and availability concerns, making it a particularly dangerous vulnerability in enterprise environments. Attackers could potentially exploit this flaw to execute arbitrary code, modify system configurations, or disrupt services through Java applets or Web Start applications. The vulnerability affects both Java Web Start applications and traditional applets, meaning that malicious code could be delivered through various attack vectors including web pages, email attachments, or downloadable applications, increasing the attack surface significantly.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate remediation through patching Oracle Java installations to the latest available versions, as this specific flaw was addressed in subsequent updates. The mitigation strategy should also include implementing network-level controls to restrict Java applet execution and Web Start application usage where possible. From a security framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-119 Improper Restriction of Operations within a Limited Access Scope, which describes weaknesses where software fails to properly restrict operations within limited access scopes. The attack patterns associated with such vulnerabilities often map to ATT&CK techniques involving privilege escalation and code injection within trusted applications.
The broader implications of this vulnerability highlight the persistent challenges in securing complex runtime environments like Java, where multiple execution contexts and scripting capabilities create numerous potential attack vectors. Security teams should implement comprehensive monitoring for suspicious Java-related activities and consider alternative approaches to application deployment that minimize reliance on potentially vulnerable scripting components. Regular security assessments of Java installations and application whitelisting policies can provide additional layers of defense against exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in the scripting subsystem of Java environments.