CVE-2013-2439 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, 5.0 Update 41 and earlier, and JavaFX 2.2.7 and earlier allows local users to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability via unknown vectors related to Install.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/27/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-2439 represents a significant security flaw within Oracle's Java Runtime Environment that affects multiple versions of Java SE and JavaFX. This issue resides within the installation component of the Java platform, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited during the software deployment process. The unspecified nature of the vulnerability vectors indicates that attackers could potentially leverage various attack surfaces during the installation phase to compromise system integrity.
The technical flaw manifests in the installation process of Java components, where local users can manipulate the system to achieve unauthorized access to confidential data, compromise data integrity, and potentially disrupt system availability. This vulnerability operates at a foundational level within the Java installation framework, making it particularly insidious as it can be exploited before the system reaches normal operational state. The vulnerability's location within the installation component suggests that the flaw may involve improper privilege handling, insecure temporary file creation, or inadequate validation of installation parameters.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates a severe risk for organizations deploying Java applications, as attackers can exploit it during the installation phase to gain elevated privileges or inject malicious code. The potential for affecting confidentiality, integrity, and availability aligns with the core principles of the CIA triad, making this a critical concern for enterprise security. The vulnerability's presence in multiple Java versions including Java SE 7, 6, 5, and JavaFX 2.2.7 indicates a widespread exposure that could affect numerous systems across different environments.
Security researchers have categorized this vulnerability according to CWE standards, likely relating to CWE-264 Permissions, Privileges, and Access Controls, or potentially CWE-250 Execution with Unnecessary Privileges, given that the flaw occurs during installation when elevated privileges are typically required. The attack surface for this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK techniques involving privilege escalation and installation process manipulation. Organizations using affected Java versions face significant risk of unauthorized code execution, data corruption, and system compromise, particularly in environments where automatic Java updates are not properly managed.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of all affected Java versions, implementing strict access controls for installation processes, and monitoring for unauthorized installation activities. Organizations should also consider deploying application whitelisting solutions to prevent execution of unauthorized Java components and establish robust update management procedures to ensure all systems remain current with security patches. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining current Java installations and implementing comprehensive security controls around software deployment processes.