CVE-2013-2448 in Java
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) component in Oracle Java SE 7 Update 21 and earlier, 6 Update 45 and earlier, and 5.0 Update 45 and earlier, and OpenJDK 7, allows remote attackers to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability via unknown vectors related to Sound. NOTE: the previous information is from the June 2013 CPU. Oracle has not commented on claims from another vendor that this issue allows remote attackers to bypass the Java sandbox via vectors related to insufficient "access restrictions" and "robustness of sound classes."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/17/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-2448 represents a critical security flaw within the Java Runtime Environment that affects multiple versions of Oracle Java SE and OpenJDK implementations. This issue specifically relates to the Sound component of the Java platform, which handles audio processing and playback functionalities. The vulnerability stems from insufficient access restrictions and robustness issues within the sound classes, creating potential attack vectors that could compromise system security. The flaw was initially documented in Oracle's June 2013 Critical Patch Update, where the company acknowledged the existence of unspecified attack vectors related to audio processing capabilities within the Java environment. Security researchers have noted that this vulnerability could potentially allow attackers to bypass the Java sandbox protection mechanisms that are fundamental to preventing unauthorized access to system resources and maintaining application isolation.
The technical nature of this vulnerability involves the improper implementation of access controls within the Java Sound API, which is responsible for handling audio data processing in Java applications. When audio data is processed through the affected sound classes, the system fails to properly enforce security boundaries that should prevent malicious code from accessing restricted system resources. This weakness in the robustness of sound classes creates opportunities for attackers to execute code outside the intended security context, potentially leading to unauthorized data access or system compromise. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control issues, and represents a significant deviation from the expected security model that Java applications should operate under. The insufficient access restrictions within the sound processing framework mean that malicious actors could exploit these gaps to perform operations that should be restricted by the Java security model.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-2448 extends beyond simple audio processing failures, as it fundamentally undermines the security isolation that Java applications depend upon for protection. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability could potentially execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, access sensitive data, or disrupt system availability through resource exhaustion attacks. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers do not need physical access to target systems, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in networked environments where Java applications are commonly deployed. Organizations running affected Java versions face significant risk of data breaches, system compromise, or service disruption, especially in environments where Java applets or applications are frequently used for business operations. The vulnerability affects not only enterprise environments but also consumer systems where Java is installed, creating widespread exposure across various computing platforms and usage scenarios.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action to update affected Java installations to patched versions that address the sound class access restrictions and robustness issues. System administrators should prioritize patching all affected Oracle Java SE versions including 7 Update 21 and earlier, 6 Update 45 and earlier, and 5.0 Update 45 and earlier, as well as OpenJDK 7 implementations. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security measures such as network segmentation to limit exposure, disabling unnecessary Java plugins in web browsers, and monitoring for suspicious activity that might indicate exploitation attempts. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation and sandbox bypass techniques, highlighting the need for comprehensive security monitoring and incident response procedures. Regular vulnerability assessments and security audits should be conducted to identify and remediate similar issues in other Java components, while maintaining awareness of the evolving threat landscape in Java-based security vulnerabilities.