CVE-2013-2452 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 via unknown vectors related to Libraries, a different vulnerability than CVE-2013-2443 and CVE-2013-2455. 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 "network address handling in virtual machine identifiers" and the lack of "unique and unpredictable IDs" in the java.rmi.dgc.VMID class.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/17/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-2452 represents a significant security weakness within the Java Runtime Environment that affects multiple versions of Oracle Java SE and OpenJDK implementations. This unspecified vulnerability specifically targets the Libraries component of the JRE, creating potential pathways for remote attackers to compromise system confidentiality. The issue manifests in versions 7 Update 21 and earlier, 6 Update 45 and earlier, 5.0 Update 45 and earlier, along with OpenJDK 7, making it a widespread concern across the Java ecosystem. Unlike similar vulnerabilities such as CVE-2013-2443 and CVE-2013-2455, this flaw operates through distinct attack vectors related to library handling rather than other known exploitation methods.
The technical core of this vulnerability lies within the java.rmi.dgc.VMID class implementation, which governs virtual machine identifier management in distributed garbage collection operations. This flaw stems from inadequate handling of network addresses and the absence of unique and unpredictable identifiers within the virtual machine identification system. The weakness specifically impacts how the Java Virtual Machine generates and manages identifiers for distributed garbage collection operations, creating opportunities for attackers to exploit predictable or insufficiently randomized VM identifiers. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-330 weakness category, which addresses the use of insufficiently random values in security contexts, and represents a critical failure in cryptographic randomness implementation within the Java runtime environment.
Operationally, this vulnerability creates substantial risks for systems running affected Java versions as remote attackers can potentially exploit the predictable VMID generation to perform various malicious activities. The impact extends beyond simple confidentiality breaches, as attackers may leverage these predictable identifiers to conduct man-in-the-middle attacks, impersonate legitimate systems, or exploit other related vulnerabilities that depend on unique VM identification. The distributed garbage collection mechanism becomes compromised, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate or interfere with Java distributed applications and services. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise environments where Java-based distributed systems are prevalent, as it undermines the fundamental security assumptions of the distributed computing model.
Security mitigations for CVE-2013-2452 require immediate patching of affected Java installations to the latest available versions that address the VMID generation weakness. Organizations should implement network segmentation and monitoring to detect unusual patterns in distributed garbage collection traffic that might indicate exploitation attempts. The remediation process should prioritize updating to patched versions of Oracle Java SE and OpenJDK, ensuring that all systems running affected Java versions receive the necessary security updates. Additionally, administrators should review and monitor distributed Java applications for potential exploitation indicators, particularly focusing on unusual network communication patterns related to garbage collection operations. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper randomization and uniqueness in security-critical identifiers, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1078.004 which covers valid accounts and credential manipulation. Organizations must also consider implementing additional security controls such as network access controls and application whitelisting to limit potential exploitation surfaces, given that this vulnerability operates at the core Java runtime level where traditional perimeter security measures may be insufficient.