CVE-2013-5895 in Java SE
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Oracle Java SE 7u45 and JavaFX 2.2.45 allows remote attackers to affect confidentiality via unknown vectors related to JavaFX.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/07/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-5895 represents a significant security weakness within Oracle Java SE 7u45 and JavaFX 2.2.45 implementations that exposes systems to potential confidentiality breaches. This issue falls under the category of unspecified vulnerabilities, indicating that the exact technical details of the flaw were not fully disclosed in the initial advisory, which is common with certain classes of vulnerabilities that require further investigation and analysis. The vulnerability specifically affects the JavaFX component, which is a rich client application platform that enables developers to build and deploy desktop applications with sophisticated user interfaces. Given that JavaFX applications often run with elevated privileges and interact with system resources, any compromise of the JavaFX runtime environment can have severe implications for system security and data integrity. The unspecified nature of the vulnerability vector makes it particularly concerning for security professionals who must assess and mitigate risks without complete technical information about how attackers can exploit the flaw.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through remote attack vectors, meaning that malicious actors can potentially compromise systems without requiring physical access or local user interaction. This remote exploit capability significantly increases the attack surface and potential impact of the vulnerability, as it allows adversaries to target systems across network boundaries. The JavaFX runtime environment, which is designed to handle multimedia content, graphics rendering, and complex user interfaces, contains components that could be manipulated to extract sensitive information or cause unauthorized data disclosure. According to industry standards and vulnerability classifications, this type of issue would typically be categorized under CWE-200 (Information Exposure) or related information disclosure categories, as the vulnerability specifically impacts confidentiality aspects of the system. The attack scenario likely involves the manipulation of JavaFX application components or runtime parameters to bypass security controls and access restricted data or system information.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-5895 extends beyond simple data exposure, as JavaFX applications are commonly deployed in enterprise environments where they may have access to sensitive corporate data, user credentials, or system resources. Organizations that utilize JavaFX applications for business-critical functions face potential risks of unauthorized data access, information leakage, and possible further exploitation to gain deeper system access. The vulnerability's presence in Java SE 7u45 and JavaFX 2.2.45 versions means that legacy systems running these components are particularly vulnerable, as many organizations maintain older Java versions for compatibility reasons. This creates a persistent risk profile where systems may remain exposed for extended periods without proper patching or mitigation. From an attack perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK techniques related to privilege escalation and credential access, as the compromised JavaFX runtime could potentially be leveraged to obtain additional system privileges or access credentials stored within the application environment.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-5895 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Java SE and JavaFX installations to the latest available security updates from Oracle. Organizations should conduct comprehensive inventory assessments to identify all systems running vulnerable Java versions and prioritize remediation efforts accordingly. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of vulnerable systems to untrusted networks, while application whitelisting policies can help prevent unauthorized JavaFX applications from executing. Security monitoring should focus on detecting anomalous JavaFX process behavior, unusual network connections, or suspicious file access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing Java security policies that restrict the capabilities of Java applets and applications, particularly those running in web browsers where the attack surface is expanded. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar issues in other Java-based components and applications within the organization's infrastructure.