CVE-2013-5846 in Java SE
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Oracle Java SE 7u40 and earlier, and JavaFX 2.2.40 and earlier, allows remote attackers to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability via unknown vectors related to JavaFX.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/31/2021
This vulnerability resides within Oracle Java SE and JavaFX components where an unspecified flaw exists in the JavaFX subsystem that affects versions through 7u40 and 2.2.40 respectively. The vulnerability represents a critical security gap that could be exploited by remote attackers without requiring any authentication or specialized privileges. The unspecified nature of the vector suggests that the flaw could potentially manifest across multiple attack surfaces within the JavaFX runtime environment, making it particularly dangerous as defenders cannot easily predict or isolate the exact exploitation methods. The impact spans all three core security principles as defined by the CIA triad, meaning attackers could potentially compromise confidentiality through data exfiltration, integrity through data corruption or manipulation, and availability through service disruption or denial of access. This vulnerability directly relates to CWE-119 which encompasses weaknesses in memory management and buffer handling, though the specific mechanism remains undisclosed in the public CVE record. The attack surface is broad given JavaFX's role in rich internet applications and desktop software development environments where these components are widely deployed.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across enterprise networks where Java applications and web browsers are prevalent, as attackers could leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary code on targeted systems. The remote exploitation capability means that malicious actors could compromise systems simply by having users visit compromised websites or execute malicious Java applets. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations running legacy Java versions where patching may be delayed or incomplete, creating extended exposure windows. The lack of specific details in the vulnerability description suggests that this could be a complex issue involving multiple underlying components within the JavaFX architecture, potentially including memory corruption issues, improper input validation, or insecure deserialization mechanisms. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 which covers exploitation for client execution, and T1068 which involves exploit development for privilege escalation. The vulnerability's presence in both Java SE and JavaFX components indicates potential cross-component exploitation paths that could allow attackers to move laterally through networks.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patching of affected Java versions to the latest Oracle security updates, as this represents the most effective defense against known exploitation methods. Organizations should implement network segmentation and application whitelisting policies to limit the attack surface where Java applications are executed. The deployment of web application firewalls and content filtering solutions can help detect and block malicious Java applet requests. Security monitoring should focus on unusual Java process activity, unexpected network connections, and anomalous system behavior that could indicate exploitation attempts. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should target Java environments to identify similar unpatched components. System administrators should consider disabling Java plugin execution in web browsers where possible, particularly in environments where Java is not required for business operations. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution threat means that organizations should implement comprehensive incident response procedures that include Java-related threat hunting and forensic analysis capabilities. Additionally, security teams should consider implementing sandboxing technologies for Java applications and establishing strict update policies that ensure all Java components remain current with security patches.