CVE-2013-5870 in Java SE
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Oracle Java SE 7u45 and JavaFX 2.2.45 allows remote attackers to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability via unknown vectors related to JavaFX.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/07/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-5870 represents a critical security flaw within Oracle Java SE 7u45 and JavaFX 2.2.45 implementations that exposes systems to significant risk across multiple security dimensions. This unspecified vulnerability resides within the JavaFX component of the Java platform, which is widely used for developing rich internet applications and desktop software. The affected versions of JavaFX 2.2.45 and Java SE 7u45 have been identified as particularly susceptible to exploitation, making them prime targets for cyber adversaries seeking to compromise systems through remote attack vectors. The vulnerability's classification as unspecified indicates that Oracle did not provide detailed technical information about the specific flaw, which complicates the development of targeted defensive measures and increases the inherent risk of exploitation.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from weaknesses within the JavaFX runtime environment that processes multimedia content, graphical user interfaces, and rich internet applications. JavaFX components are designed to handle complex graphical operations and multimedia processing, which inherently involves extensive memory management and resource allocation. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability through carefully crafted malicious content that exploits memory corruption issues, buffer overflows, or improper input validation within the JavaFX rendering pipeline. The unspecified nature of the vulnerability suggests that it likely involves multiple potential attack surfaces within the JavaFX subsystem, including but not limited to graphics rendering functions, multimedia processing capabilities, or component interaction mechanisms. These issues can manifest when JavaFX applications process untrusted input data, making web-based attacks particularly effective when users encounter malicious web content that triggers the vulnerable JavaFX components.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-5870 extends across all three fundamental principles of information security: confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Attackers can potentially extract sensitive data from compromised systems through confidentiality breaches, manipulate system data and application behavior through integrity violations, and disrupt system operations through availability attacks that may result in system crashes or complete service outages. The remote exploitability of this vulnerability means that attackers do not require physical access to target systems, enabling widespread compromise through web-based attack vectors. Organizations running affected Java installations face significant risk of unauthorized access, data breaches, and system compromise, particularly in environments where users frequently interact with web content or applications that utilize JavaFX components. The vulnerability's presence in widely deployed Java SE and JavaFX versions creates a substantial attack surface that can be exploited across enterprise networks, making it a particularly dangerous threat to organizational security.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-5870 must prioritize immediate remediation through official Oracle security patches and updates. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all affected Java installations are updated to versions that address the vulnerability. System administrators should disable Java plugin execution in web browsers when not required, as this significantly reduces attack surface exposure. Network segmentation and firewall rules can help limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of untrusted Java applications can provide an additional layer of defense. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-119, which addresses "Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer," and may also relate to CWE-787, "Out-of-bounds Write." From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability could be leveraged through techniques such as T1059.007 for command and control through compromised Java applications, and T1203 for exploitation of web applications. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts and establish incident response procedures specifically addressing Java-based vulnerabilities to ensure rapid response capabilities when compromises occur.