CVE-2011-3563 in JRE
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) component in Oracle Java SE 7 Update 2 and earlier, 6 Update 30 and earlier, 5.0 Update 33 and earlier, and 1.4.2_35 and earlier allows remote attackers to affect confidentiality and availability via unknown vectors related to Sound.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/29/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3563 resides within the Java Runtime Environment component of Oracle Java SE versions prior to specific update releases. This security flaw affects multiple Java versions including Java 7 Update 2 and earlier, Java 6 Update 30 and earlier, Java 5.0 Update 33 and earlier, and Java 1.4.2_35 and earlier, with the issue specifically related to the Sound functionality within the Java Runtime Environment. The vulnerability operates through unspecified attack vectors that are connected to audio processing capabilities within the Java environment, representing a significant security concern for systems running affected Java versions.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and potential memory corruption issues within the Java Sound API implementation. Attackers can exploit this weakness to potentially compromise system confidentiality and availability through remote execution. The Sound component in Java provides audio processing capabilities that allow applications to capture, play, and manipulate audio data, making it a prime target for exploitation. The unspecified nature of the exact attack vectors suggests that multiple pathways exist for exploitation, potentially including buffer overflows, memory corruption, or improper resource handling within the audio processing subsystem.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-3563 extends beyond simple data exposure, as it can potentially allow attackers to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable systems. This represents a critical threat to enterprise environments where Java applications are prevalent, particularly in web applications that process user-supplied audio data. The vulnerability could enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to systems, potentially leading to complete system compromise or denial of service conditions. Organizations running affected Java versions face significant risk of unauthorized data access and system availability disruption, especially in environments where Java applets or web applications are frequently used.
Security professionals should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems, as Oracle released updates specifically addressing this vulnerability in subsequent Java releases. The remediation process involves upgrading to patched versions of Java SE, which typically include enhanced input validation and memory management within the Sound component. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and application whitelisting to limit exposure, particularly for systems that cannot be immediately patched. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-119, which addresses improper restriction of operations within a limited access scope, and may map to ATT&CK techniques involving privilege escalation and remote code execution through application vulnerabilities. The attack surface for this vulnerability is particularly broad due to Java's widespread deployment across enterprise environments, making comprehensive patch management essential for maintaining security posture and preventing potential exploitation by threat actors.