CVE-2013-0435 in Java
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) component in Oracle Java SE 7 through Update 11 and 6 through Update 38, and OpenJDK 6 and 7, allows remote attackers to affect confidentiality via vectors related to JAX-WS. NOTE: the previous information is from the February 2013 CPU. Oracle has not commented on claims from another vendor that this issue is related to improper restriction of com.sun.xml.internal packages and "Better handling of UI elements."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/08/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-0435 represents a significant security flaw within the Java Runtime Environment that affects multiple versions of Oracle Java SE and OpenJDK implementations. This issue specifically targets the JAX-WS (Java API for XML Web Services) component, which serves as a critical foundation for web service development and communication within Java applications. The vulnerability's classification as unspecified indicates that the exact technical mechanism remains partially obscured, though it clearly relates to security implications affecting data confidentiality. The affected versions span from Java SE 7 through Update 11 and Java SE 6 through Update 38, alongside OpenJDK 6 and 7 implementations, demonstrating the widespread impact across different Java runtime environments.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through vectors associated with JAX-WS components, which suggests that malicious actors could potentially manipulate XML web service communications to compromise sensitive information. The reference to improper restriction of com.sun.xml.internal packages indicates that the vulnerability likely stems from insufficient access controls or security boundaries within the internal XML processing libraries used by Java's web services framework. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-284 access control weakness category, where inadequate restrictions on internal package access create potential attack surfaces for remote exploitation. The mention of "Better handling of UI elements" suggests that the vulnerability may also involve improper processing of user interface components within the XML web services context, potentially enabling information disclosure through malformed or maliciously crafted XML payloads.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses substantial risks to organizations relying on Java-based web services and applications, as it could enable remote attackers to access confidential data transmitted through JAX-WS communications. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks such as data manipulation or service disruption. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability's remote attack surface makes it particularly dangerous for web-facing applications and services. The vulnerability's presence in both Oracle's proprietary Java implementations and OpenJDK distributions means that organizations using either platform face identical risks, requiring comprehensive patch management strategies across their entire Java ecosystem. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under privilege escalation and credential access tactics, as attackers could leverage it to obtain unauthorized access to sensitive information within Java applications.
Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems to address this vulnerability, as the lack of specific exploit details does not diminish the potential for real-world attacks. The recommended mitigation strategy involves updating to patched versions of Java SE and OpenJDK, ensuring that all systems running JAX-WS applications receive the necessary security updates. Additionally, network segmentation and monitoring of XML web service traffic can provide additional defense-in-depth measures to detect potential exploitation attempts. Security teams should also review their Java application configurations to ensure proper access controls are implemented for internal packages and consider implementing application firewalls or intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious XML processing activities. The vulnerability's classification as a remote attack vector means that organizations should also assess their network perimeter defenses and implement proper network access controls to limit exposure of affected systems to untrusted networks.