CVE-2013-2412 in Java
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) component in Oracle Java SE 7 Update 21 and earlier and 6 Update 45 and earlier, and OpenJDK 7, allows remote attackers to affect confidentiality via unknown vectors related to Serviceability. NOTE: the previous information is from the June 2013 CPU. Oracle has not commented on claims from another vendor that this issue is related to insufficient indication of an SSL connection failure by JConsole, related to RMI connection dialog box.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/17/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-2412 represents a significant security flaw within the Java Runtime Environment that affects multiple versions of Oracle Java SE and OpenJDK implementations. This issue falls under the broader category of serviceability components within the Java platform, which are designed to provide diagnostic and monitoring capabilities for Java applications. The vulnerability's classification as unspecified indicates that the exact technical mechanism remains partially obscured, though it is confirmed to be related to serviceability features within the Java runtime environment. The affected versions include Oracle Java SE 7 Update 21 and earlier releases, as well as Java SE 6 Update 45 and earlier versions, alongside OpenJDK 7 implementations, suggesting a widespread impact across different Java runtime versions.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate handling of SSL connection failures within the JConsole monitoring tool, which is part of the Java serviceability framework. According to security researchers, this issue manifests when JConsole fails to properly indicate SSL connection failures during RMI (Remote Method Invocation) connections, creating a potential avenue for attackers to manipulate or bypass security checks. The vulnerability specifically relates to how the RMI connection dialog box handles SSL certificate validation and connection status reporting, which could allow remote attackers to establish connections without proper authentication or encryption verification. This weakness operates at the serviceability layer of Java, which is designed to provide diagnostic information but inadvertently creates a security gap when handling remote connections.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability poses substantial risks to organizations relying on Java-based applications and monitoring systems. The impact extends beyond simple confidentiality concerns, as the improper handling of SSL connections could potentially enable man-in-the-middle attacks or unauthorized access to monitoring interfaces. Attackers could exploit this weakness to intercept sensitive data transmitted through JConsole connections or to gain unauthorized access to system monitoring capabilities. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because JConsole is commonly used for remote administration and monitoring of Java applications, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise system integrity. The fact that this issue affects both Oracle's proprietary Java implementation and OpenJDK suggests that organizations using either platform are equally at risk.
Security professionals should implement immediate mitigations including updating to patched versions of Java SE and OpenJDK, as well as disabling unnecessary JConsole usage in production environments where possible. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-200 (Information Exposure) and potentially CWE-310 (Cryptographic Issues) categories, as it exposes information about connection status and potentially allows for cryptographic weakness exploitation. Organizations should also consider network-level protections such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious RMI connection patterns. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1071.004 (Application Layer Protocol: DNS) and T1566 (Phishing) as attackers might exploit this weakness to establish covert connections. Additionally, implementing proper network segmentation and limiting access to JConsole interfaces can significantly reduce the attack surface, while regular security assessments should include verification of SSL/TLS implementation consistency across all Java runtime components to prevent similar serviceability-related vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future.