CVE-2012-4821 in Java
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple unspecified vulnerabilities in the JRE component in IBM Java 7 SR2 and earlier, Java 6.0.1 SR3 and earlier, Java 6 SR11 and earlier, Java 5 SR14 and earlier, and Java 142 SR13 FP13 and earlier; as used in IBM Rational Host On-Demand, Rational Change, Tivoli Monitoring, Smart Analytics System 5600, Tivoli Remote Control 5.1.2, WebSphere Real Time, Lotus Notes & Domino, Tivoli Storage Productivity Center, and Service Deliver Manager; and other products from other vendors such as Red Hat, allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via "insecure use" of the (1) java.lang.Class getDeclaredMethods or nd (2) java.lang.reflect.AccessibleObject setAccessible() methods.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/19/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2012-4821 represents a critical security flaw affecting multiple versions of IBM Java Runtime Environment across various product lines including Rational Host On-Demand, Tivoli Monitoring, and WebSphere Real Time systems. This issue stems from insecure usage patterns within the Java reflection API that allows attackers to bypass security restrictions and execute arbitrary code remotely. The vulnerability specifically impacts IBM Java versions 7 SR2 and earlier, Java 6.0.1 SR3 and earlier, Java 6 SR11 and earlier, Java 5 SR14 and earlier, and Java 142 SR13 FP13 and earlier, making it particularly widespread across legacy systems that were commonly deployed in enterprise environments.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper implementation of two key Java reflection methods: java.lang.Class.getDeclaredMethods and java.lang.reflect.AccessibleObject.setAccessible(). These methods, when used insecurely, can be exploited to manipulate access controls within the Java Virtual Machine. The setAccessible() method particularly poses a significant risk as it allows developers to bypass Java's access control mechanisms, enabling code execution that would normally be restricted. Attackers can leverage these insecure practices to gain unauthorized access to protected methods and classes, ultimately leading to complete system compromise through remote code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, creating substantial risks for organizations utilizing affected IBM products and services. Systems running vulnerable Java versions become susceptible to unauthorized access, data breaches, and complete system takeovers without requiring authentication. The widespread deployment of affected Java versions across enterprise applications like Lotus Notes & Domino, Tivoli Storage Productivity Center, and Service Deliver Manager means that organizations may face cascading security failures across their entire infrastructure. This vulnerability particularly affects systems that process untrusted input or provide remote access capabilities, making them prime targets for exploitation.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation efforts by upgrading to patched versions of IBM Java Runtime Environment and implementing proper access control measures. The mitigation strategy should include disabling or restricting the use of vulnerable reflection APIs within applications, implementing network segmentation, and conducting thorough security audits of all systems running affected Java versions. According to CWE standards, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-254, representing a weakness in security design that allows bypassing of access control mechanisms. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell) and T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation) techniques, as attackers can leverage the reflected code execution to escalate privileges and maintain persistent access to compromised systems. Regular security monitoring and vulnerability scanning should be implemented to identify any remaining instances of vulnerable Java versions within the enterprise environment.