CVE-2011-3554 in JRE
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the Java Runtime Environment component in Oracle Java SE JDK and JRE 7, 6 Update 27 and earlier, 5.0 Update 31 and earlier allows remote untrusted Java Web Start applications and untrusted Java applets to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability via unknown vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/24/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3554 represents a critical security flaw within Oracle's Java Runtime Environment that affects multiple versions of Java SE JDK and JRE including Java 7, Java 6 Update 27 and earlier, and Java 5.0 Update 31 and earlier. This weakness resides in the Java Runtime Environment component and specifically impacts untrusted Java Web Start applications and applets that are executed in web browsers. The vulnerability's classification as unspecified means that the exact technical mechanism remains undisclosed, though the implications are severe given the nature of Java applets and Web Start applications that can be launched from web pages. The affected systems are particularly vulnerable when users interact with malicious content through web browsers or Java Web Start applications, creating attack vectors that could be exploited by remote adversaries.
The technical nature of this vulnerability allows for exploitation through untrusted Java Web Start applications and applets that are designed to run in untrusted environments. These applications and applets are typically downloaded and executed from web servers, making them susceptible to man-in-the-middle attacks or malicious web content injection. The vulnerability enables attackers to potentially compromise the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of affected systems through unspecified vectors that could involve code execution, memory corruption, or privilege escalation within the Java runtime environment. The attack surface is broad as Java applets and Web Start applications are commonly used for various web-based applications, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise and consumer environments where Java is widely deployed.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-3554 extends beyond simple exploitation to encompass significant risks to enterprise security infrastructure and user data protection. Organizations that rely on Java-based web applications or have users who frequently access web content through browsers with Java enabled face potential data breaches, system compromise, and service disruption. The vulnerability can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive information, modification of system files, and denial of service conditions that could affect business operations. Security analysts note that the unspecified nature of the vulnerability makes it particularly challenging to defend against, as traditional security measures may not adequately protect against the unknown exploitation vectors. This vulnerability particularly affects environments where users have default Java security settings enabled, which typically allow applets to run with elevated privileges.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-3554 focus primarily on immediate remediation through patching and configuration changes. Organizations should prioritize updating to patched versions of Java SE JDK and JRE, specifically targeting versions that address this vulnerability. System administrators should disable Java applet execution in web browsers and consider implementing Java Web Start application whitelisting policies. Security professionals should also consider implementing network-based controls such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious Java-related network traffic. The mitigation approach aligns with cybersecurity frameworks such as the CWE taxonomy, which categorizes this vulnerability under unspecified security flaws that can affect multiple system components. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability could be leveraged through initial access techniques involving malicious web content and privilege escalation methods that exploit Java runtime environment weaknesses. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting solutions and reducing the attack surface by disabling unnecessary Java functionality in web browsers and enterprise environments.