CVE-2012-4823 in Java
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability 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, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via vectors related to "insecure use of the java.lang.ClassLoder defineClass() method."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/19/2021
This vulnerability resides within the Java Runtime Environment component of various IBM Java versions, affecting multiple critical enterprise applications including IBM Rational products, Tivoli monitoring solutions, and WebSphere platforms. The flaw stems from an insecure implementation of the java.lang.ClassLoader defineClass() method which permits unauthorized code execution. This vulnerability impacts IBM Java versions up to and including Java 7 SR2, Java 6.0.1 SR3, Java 6 SR11, Java 5 SR14, and Java 142 SR13 FP13, creating a widespread attack surface across numerous enterprise systems. The vulnerability represents a classic sandbox escape mechanism where malicious code can bypass Java's security restrictions through improper class loading operations.
The technical exploitation occurs when applications utilizing the affected IBM Java versions process untrusted input through the insecure ClassLoader implementation. Attackers can craft specially designed class files or manipulate existing class loading processes to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the Java application. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-502 which describes "Deserialization of Untrusted Data" and more specifically relates to insecure deserialization patterns that allow attackers to manipulate the class loading mechanism. The attack vector involves remote code execution through manipulation of class loading operations, typically occurring when applications accept serialized data or dynamic class definitions from untrusted sources. This represents a fundamental flaw in Java's security model where the ClassLoader's defineClass() method should enforce strict security boundaries but fails to do so in these affected versions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe across enterprise environments that utilize the affected IBM Java components. Systems running IBM Rational Host On-Demand, Tivoli Monitoring, Smart Analytics System 5600, and other affected products become immediately vulnerable to remote exploitation without proper patching. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain complete control over affected systems, potentially leading to data breaches, system compromise, and lateral movement within network environments. The vulnerability affects not only IBM products but also third-party applications that rely on these Java versions, creating a cascading security risk across multiple vendors. Organizations using Lotus Notes & Domino, Tivoli Storage Productivity Center, and Service Deliver Manager face similar exposure risks. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell" and T1078 for "Valid Accounts" as attackers can execute commands and potentially escalate privileges.
Mitigation strategies must focus on immediate patching of all affected IBM Java installations to the latest supported versions. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of affected systems to untrusted networks. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any remaining vulnerable instances. Application-level protections including input validation, secure coding practices, and runtime monitoring can help detect exploitation attempts. The principle of least privilege should be enforced where Java applications run with minimal required permissions. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious class loading activities and network traffic patterns consistent with exploitation attempts. System administrators should also review and update security policies to address the specific threat landscape created by insecure class loading mechanisms in Java applications.