CVE-2013-1564 in Java
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) component in Oracle Java SE 7 Update 17 and earlier and JavaFX 2.2.7 and earlier allows remote attackers to affect integrity via unknown vectors related to JavaFX.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/08/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-1564 resides within the Java Runtime Environment component of Oracle Java SE versions 7 Update 17 and earlier, as well as JavaFX 2.2.7 and earlier versions. This issue represents a significant security weakness that affects the integrity of systems running these vulnerable software components, particularly in enterprise environments where Java applications are extensively deployed. The unspecified nature of the vulnerability vectors makes it particularly concerning as it suggests potential attack surfaces that may not have been fully documented or understood at the time of disclosure.
The technical flaw manifests within the JavaFX subsystem which is integrated into the Java Runtime Environment, creating a pathway for remote attackers to compromise system integrity without requiring local system access or elevated privileges. This vulnerability operates through mechanisms that are not fully detailed in the initial disclosure, but based on similar Java-related vulnerabilities, it likely involves memory corruption issues, improper input validation, or insecure deserialization processes that could be exploited to manipulate application behavior or data integrity. The JavaFX component's integration with the broader JRE ecosystem means that exploitation could potentially extend beyond simple integrity violations to encompass more severe impacts including arbitrary code execution.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability poses substantial risk to organizations utilizing affected Java versions, particularly those running web applications or services that depend on JavaFX for rich internet applications. The remote exploitability means that attackers can target systems from external networks without requiring physical access or prior authentication, making the attack surface extremely broad. Organizations with legacy systems running these vulnerable versions face significant exposure, especially in environments where patch management processes are slow or where the complexity of application dependencies prevents timely updates. The impact extends beyond individual system compromise to potential data integrity breaches that could affect business-critical applications and sensitive information processing.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with common attack patterns documented in the ATT&CK framework under the 'Exploitation for Client Execution' and 'Data Manipulation' tactics, where adversaries leverage client-side vulnerabilities to modify application data or behavior. The CWE (Common Weakness Enumeration) classification for such vulnerabilities typically falls under categories related to software fault or improper input validation, though the exact weakness identification requires further analysis. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including patching to the latest Java SE and JavaFX versions, network segmentation to limit exposure, and monitoring for suspicious network activity that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, application whitelisting and runtime application control measures can provide defense-in-depth protection against exploitation of this and similar vulnerabilities.