CVE-2013-5850 in Java SE
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Oracle Java SE 7u40 and earlier, Java SE 6u60 and earlier, Java SE 5.0u51 and earlier, and Java SE Embedded 7u40 and earlier allows remote attackers to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability via unknown vectors related to Libraries.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/31/2021
This vulnerability resides within Oracle Java SE and Java SE Embedded implementations, specifically affecting versions through 7u40, 6u60, 5.0u51, and their embedded counterparts. The unspecified nature of the vulnerability classification indicates a critical weakness in the Java runtime libraries that could potentially be exploited by remote attackers without requiring authentication or specific user interaction. The affected components are part of the core Java libraries that handle various system operations and memory management functions.
The technical flaw manifests within the Java libraries that form the foundation of the runtime environment, suggesting a deep-seated issue in how the system processes certain inputs or manages memory operations. This vulnerability type falls under the category of library-based exploits that can potentially compromise the entire Java runtime environment, affecting multiple Java versions simultaneously due to shared underlying library implementations. The vulnerability's impact spans all three core security properties defined by the CIA triad, indicating a comprehensive compromise potential rather than isolated confidentiality or integrity issues.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability represents a significant risk to enterprise environments that rely on Java applications, as remote attackers can exploit it to gain unauthorized access to systems, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects not only standard desktop Java installations but also embedded systems where Java is used for critical applications, making it particularly dangerous for industrial control systems, automotive applications, and other embedded environments. The remote exploit capability means that attackers can target vulnerable systems from anywhere on the network without requiring physical access or user interaction.
The attack surface for this vulnerability extends across multiple deployment scenarios including web applications, desktop applications, and server environments where Java is installed. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code, manipulate system data, or disrupt system availability through various attack vectors that remain unspecified in the CVE description. This lack of specific vector information suggests that the vulnerability may be present in multiple library functions or could be triggered through various legitimate Java application execution paths, making it particularly challenging to defend against. Organizations should consider implementing comprehensive network segmentation, regular patch management, and runtime monitoring to protect against potential exploitation attempts.
This vulnerability aligns with common attack patterns documented in the ATT&CK framework under the system service execution and privilege escalation domains, where attackers leverage runtime library weaknesses to gain elevated privileges or execute malicious code. The vulnerability's classification under CWE categories related to library weaknesses and runtime errors indicates potential issues with memory management, input validation, or library function handling that could be exploited through various attack vectors. Organizations should prioritize patching affected systems and implementing additional security controls such as application whitelisting and runtime application protection to mitigate the risk of exploitation. The widespread impact across multiple Java versions and deployment environments makes this vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations with legacy Java applications that may not receive regular updates.