CVE-2012-0551 in GlassFish Enterprise Server
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) in Oracle Java SE 7 update 4 and earlier and 6 update 32 and earlier, and the GlassFish Enterprise Server component in Oracle Sun Products Suite GlassFish Enterprise Server 3.1.1, allows remote attackers to affect confidentiality and integrity via unknown vectors related to Web Container or Deployment.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/23/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-0551 represents a critical security flaw within the Java Runtime Environment that affected multiple versions of Oracle Java SE and GlassFish Enterprise Server. This unspecified weakness resides within the web container or deployment components of these Java applications, creating potential attack surfaces that could be exploited by remote threat actors. The vulnerability's classification as unspecified indicates that the exact technical mechanism remains partially obscured, though its impact on confidentiality and integrity suggests serious implications for data protection and system integrity. The affected versions include Java SE 7 update 4 and earlier, Java SE 6 update 32 and earlier, along with GlassFish Enterprise Server 3.1.1, indicating this flaw spanned across multiple product lines and supported versions.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it within the realm of web container security flaws that can be exploited through remote network access without requiring local system access or authentication. Attackers could potentially leverage this weakness to compromise the confidentiality of sensitive data processed through affected Java applications or to corrupt system integrity by modifying application behavior or data. The web container component specifically handles HTTP requests and responses, making it a prime target for exploitation through malformed web requests or deployment artifacts that could trigger the underlying vulnerability. This type of flaw often relates to improper input validation or memory management issues that could lead to code execution or data manipulation.
From an operational impact perspective, systems running affected Java versions face significant risks including potential data breaches, service disruption, and unauthorized access to sensitive applications. Organizations utilizing GlassFish Enterprise Server 3.1.1 or older Java SE versions were particularly vulnerable since these products handled critical enterprise applications and web services. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers could target these systems from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access or insider knowledge. This vulnerability could enable attackers to perform man-in-the-middle attacks, data exfiltration, or service degradation attacks that could affect business continuity and regulatory compliance.
Security mitigations for CVE-2012-0551 primarily involve immediate patching and upgrading of affected systems to newer Java SE versions or GlassFish Enterprise Server releases that contain fixes for this vulnerability. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to Java applications and consider disabling unnecessary web container features that could expose the vulnerable components. The mitigation strategy should align with industry best practices such as those outlined in the CWE (Common Weakness Enumeration) catalog, specifically addressing weaknesses related to web container security and deployment flaws. Additionally, implementing robust monitoring and logging mechanisms can help detect exploitation attempts and provide evidence for forensic analysis. The ATT&CK framework would classify this vulnerability under the initial access and execution phases, with potential lateral movement capabilities if exploited successfully. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies and restricting Java applet execution to minimize attack surface exposure.