CVE-2011-3558 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 allows remote untrusted Java Web Start applications and untrusted Java applets to affect confidentiality via unknown vectors related to HotSpot.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/24/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3558 represents a critical security flaw within the Java Runtime Environment component of Oracle Java SE JDK and JRE versions 7 and 6 Update 27 and earlier. This issue specifically impacts the HotSpot virtual machine implementation that forms the core of Java's execution environment. The vulnerability manifests in the context of untrusted Java Web Start applications and applets, which are commonly used for deploying interactive Java applications over the internet. These applications operate within a sandboxed environment designed to prevent malicious code from accessing system resources, yet this particular flaw creates an avenue for attackers to bypass such security measures.
The technical nature of this vulnerability resides in the HotSpot component's handling of untrusted code execution, where unknown vectors related to the virtual machine's internal operations allow for potential compromise of confidentiality. The flaw operates at a fundamental level within the Java runtime architecture, potentially enabling attackers to access sensitive information that should remain protected within the secure execution environment. This vulnerability specifically affects the Java Web Start functionality and applet execution mechanisms, which are critical components for delivering Java-based applications through web browsers and standalone launchers. The unspecified nature of the vulnerability vectors suggests that the flaw could potentially encompass multiple attack surfaces within the HotSpot implementation, making it particularly dangerous as the exact scope of exploitation remains partially unknown.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-3558 extends beyond simple data confidentiality breaches, as it represents a significant weakening of the security model that Java applications depend upon for protection. Attackers could potentially exploit this vulnerability to extract sensitive data from applications running in the Java environment, including user credentials, personal information, or proprietary business data. The vulnerability's presence in both JDK and JRE components means that it affects not only end-user systems but also development environments where Java applications are created and tested. Organizations relying on Java-based web applications face substantial risk from this vulnerability, particularly those that deploy untrusted applets or Web Start applications without proper security controls. The widespread use of Java in enterprise environments, combined with the vulnerability's potential for remote exploitation, creates a significant threat landscape that could be leveraged for advanced persistent threats or data exfiltration campaigns.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on immediate remediation through patching and updating to versions that address the underlying HotSpot implementation flaws. Organizations should prioritize updating their Java installations to versions that have been specifically patched to resolve this vulnerability, as Oracle typically releases security updates that address known flaws in their software components. System administrators should also implement additional security measures such as disabling Java applet execution in web browsers where possible, using Java security policies to restrict application permissions, and implementing network-level controls to monitor for suspicious Java-related traffic. The vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK tactics including privilege escalation and defense evasion, as attackers could potentially use this flaw to gain elevated privileges or bypass security controls. From a CWE perspective, this vulnerability relates to multiple weaknesses including CWE-254, which addresses security features that are not properly implemented, and CWE-310, which covers cryptographic issues, though the exact nature of the flaw requires specific analysis of the patched versions to fully understand the implementation details.