CVE-2013-2453 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 integrity via vectors related to JMX. NOTE: the previous information is from the June 2013 CPU. Oracle has not commented on claims from another vendor that this issue is due to a missing check for "package access" by the MBeanServer Introspector.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/17/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-2453 represents a critical security flaw within Oracle Java Runtime Environment that affects multiple versions of Java SE including Java 7 Update 21 and earlier, as well as Java 6 Update 45 and earlier. This issue resides within the JMX (Java Management Extensions) component of the JRE, which provides management and monitoring capabilities for Java applications. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation mechanisms within the MBeanServer Introspector, a core component responsible for examining and managing JavaBeans within the JMX framework. The weakness allows remote attackers to manipulate the integrity of the system through unspecified vectors related to JMX operations, potentially enabling unauthorized modifications to managed beans and system configurations.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which describes improper access control issues in software systems. The root cause appears to be the absence of proper package access checks within the MBeanServer Introspector component, as noted by security researchers who identified this as a missing validation mechanism. This flaw enables attackers to bypass intended security boundaries and potentially execute unauthorized operations against managed beans. The vulnerability operates at the application level within the Java runtime environment, leveraging the inherent trust model of JMX operations to perform unauthorized modifications that could compromise the integrity of the entire Java application stack.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to enterprise environments that rely on Java applications with JMX monitoring capabilities. Attackers can exploit this weakness to modify managed bean configurations, potentially leading to service disruption, data manipulation, or even complete system compromise. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries do not require local system access or physical presence to exploit the vulnerability, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments. The impact extends beyond simple integrity violations as it could enable attackers to manipulate system behavior, disrupt services, or create backdoors within Java applications that utilize JMX for monitoring and management purposes.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the latest Oracle security patches and updates, which address the missing package access checks in the MBeanServer Introspector. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to JMX endpoints, particularly in production environments where unnecessary exposure increases risk. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual JMX activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, administrators should disable JMX if not required for operational purposes, following the principle of least privilege. The vulnerability also relates to ATT&CK technique T1059 which involves executing malicious code through application-specific protocols, and T1566 which covers social engineering attacks that could leverage such vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access to managed systems. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any remaining exposure points and ensure comprehensive protection against similar vulnerabilities in the Java runtime environment.