CVE-2013-1563 in Java
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) component in Oracle Java SE 7 Update 17 and earlier, 6 Update 43 and earlier, and JavaFX 2.2.7 and earlier allows remote attackers to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability via unknown vectors related to Install.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/08/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-1563 resides within Oracle's Java Runtime Environment component and affects multiple versions of Java SE and JavaFX. This issue specifically relates to the installation process of Java applications and represents a significant security weakness that could be exploited by remote attackers to compromise system integrity. The vulnerability's classification as unspecified indicates that the exact technical mechanism remains undisclosed, though it operates within the installation context of Java applications. The affected versions include Java SE 7 Update 17 and earlier, Java SE 6 Update 43 and earlier, as well as JavaFX 2.2.7 and earlier, suggesting a broad impact across multiple Java platforms and their respective update cycles. This vulnerability represents a critical concern for enterprise environments where Java applications are extensively deployed.
The technical flaw associated with CVE-2013-1563 operates during the installation phase of Java applications, creating potential attack vectors that could be leveraged by malicious actors. The vulnerability's impact spans all three fundamental principles of information security including confidentiality, integrity, and availability, indicating that attackers could potentially access sensitive data, modify system components, or disrupt service availability. The installation-related nature of this vulnerability suggests that it may exploit weaknesses in how Java handles the installation process, potentially through insecure file handling, improper privilege management, or flawed validation mechanisms during software deployment. This type of vulnerability often falls under the category of installation-time exploits that can compromise the entire system during the software installation lifecycle.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-1563 extends beyond simple exploitation to encompass broader system compromise scenarios. Attackers could potentially use this vulnerability to install malicious software, modify existing Java installations, or gain unauthorized access to system resources during the installation process. The broad scope of affected versions means that organizations running legacy Java applications face significant exposure, particularly in environments where automatic updates are not implemented. The remote attack vector indicates that exploitation does not require physical access to the target system, making it particularly dangerous for web-facing applications or systems that automatically download and install Java components. This vulnerability could be especially problematic in enterprise settings where Java applications are frequently deployed across multiple systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-1563 should focus on immediate patching of affected Java installations to the latest available versions. Organizations must implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure all Java components are updated regularly, particularly given the vulnerability's broad impact across multiple Java versions. System administrators should disable unnecessary Java plugin functionality in web browsers and implement strict access controls for Java installation processes. The vulnerability's classification under CWE categories related to installation and deployment processes suggests that secure coding practices during Java application development should emphasize proper validation and privilege management. Additionally, network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect anomalous installation activities that might indicate exploitation attempts, aligning with ATT&CK framework techniques related to installation and privilege escalation. Regular security assessments should include verification of Java installation integrity and monitoring for unauthorized modifications to Java runtime environments.