CVE-2013-2442 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 allows remote attackers to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability via unknown vectors related to Deployment, a different vulnerability than CVE-2013-2466 and CVE-2013-2468.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/17/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-2442 represents a significant security flaw within Oracle Java SE's Deployment component that affects multiple versions of the Java Runtime Environment. This issue specifically targets the JRE component in Java SE 7 Update 21 and earlier versions, as well as Java SE 6 Update 45 and earlier releases, creating a substantial attack surface across numerous enterprise and consumer systems that rely on legacy Java implementations. The vulnerability's classification as unspecified indicates that the exact technical details were not fully disclosed in the initial advisory, though it was confirmed to be distinct from other related vulnerabilities including CVE-2013-2466 and CVE-2013-2468, which suggests a unique exploitation vector or attack methodology. The affected Deployment functionality within the JRE provides attackers with the capability to compromise the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of targeted systems through previously unknown attack vectors.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from weaknesses within the Java Deployment component that handles the execution and management of Java applications in web environments. This component is responsible for processing Java applets and web-based Java applications that are delivered through web browsers, making it a prime target for remote exploitation attacks. The attack vectors related to Deployment typically involve maliciously crafted Java applets or web content that can be loaded through web browsers, potentially exploiting memory management flaws or improper input validation within the JRE's deployment subsystem. The unspecified nature of the vulnerability suggests that it may involve complex interactions between multiple components within the Java runtime environment, potentially leveraging privilege escalation mechanisms or memory corruption vulnerabilities that allow attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to organizations that continue to use outdated Java versions, as it provides attackers with comprehensive control over affected systems. The ability to compromise confidentiality means that attackers can potentially access sensitive data, while integrity violations could allow for data manipulation or system compromise. The availability impact suggests that attackers could potentially cause denial of service conditions or system crashes, disrupting business operations. The vulnerability's presence in both Java 6 and Java 7 versions indicates that it affects a broad range of systems that may not have been updated to newer, patched releases, creating widespread exposure across enterprise environments where legacy applications depend on older Java runtime versions. Organizations with web applications or services that rely on Java applets for functionality are particularly vulnerable to exploitation through this pathway.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-2442 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Java installations, with particular emphasis on upgrading to Java SE 7 Update 25 or later versions, and Java SE 6 Update 51 or later for the Java 6 variant. System administrators should implement network segmentation and firewall rules to restrict access to Java applet execution where possible, particularly in environments where the risk of exploitation is high. The deployment of Java sandboxing mechanisms and browser security controls can provide additional layers of protection, though these measures are not comprehensive solutions. Organizations should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all systems running affected Java versions and prioritize remediation efforts based on risk exposure. The vulnerability's classification as affecting the Deployment component aligns with common attack patterns documented in the attack framework, where web-based exploitation of Java runtime components represents a prevalent threat vector that requires both immediate patching and long-term architectural security improvements. This vulnerability exemplifies the importance of maintaining current Java installations and implementing robust patch management processes to prevent exploitation of known security flaws in widely deployed software components.