CVE-2013-5902 in Java SE
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Oracle Java SE 6u65 and 7u45 allows remote attackers to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability via unknown vectors related to Deployment, a different vulnerability than CVE-2013-5889, CVE-2014-0410, CVE-2014-0415, CVE-2014-0418, and CVE-2014-0424.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/07/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-5902 represents a significant security flaw within Oracle Java SE versions 6u65 and 7u45 that falls under the broader category of deployment-related security issues. This vulnerability specifically targets the Java Deployment Toolkit component which is responsible for managing the installation and execution of Java applications within web browsers and other deployment environments. The affected systems are particularly at risk because the Java Deployment functionality is commonly used to execute unsigned applets and applications that can be delivered through web browsers, creating multiple attack vectors for malicious actors.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation and sanitization mechanisms within the Java Deployment subsystem that processes various input parameters and configuration settings. This flaw allows remote attackers to manipulate the deployment process in ways that could compromise the underlying system security posture. The unspecified nature of the exact vector suggests that the vulnerability may involve multiple potential attack paths including but not limited to memory corruption issues, improper access controls, or insecure parameter handling within the deployment framework. The vulnerability's classification as deployment-related aligns with common attack patterns documented in the ATT&CK framework under the software supply chain compromise techniques, where adversaries target the deployment mechanisms that deliver malicious code to target systems.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-5902 extends beyond simple confidentiality breaches as it affects all three core principles of information security including confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive data, modify system configurations, or cause system disruptions through denial-of-service conditions. The widespread use of Java SE in enterprise environments means that successful exploitation could lead to significant business disruption and data compromise across multiple organizational systems. The vulnerability's relationship to other related CVEs such as CVE-2013-5889, CVE-2014-0410, CVE-2014-0415, CVE-2014-0418, and CVE-2014-0424 indicates that this represents part of a broader attack surface within the Java deployment ecosystem that requires comprehensive remediation strategies.
Security professionals should prioritize the remediation of this vulnerability through immediate patching of affected Java installations, as recommended by Oracle's security advisories. The mitigation approach should include comprehensive network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts and application whitelisting to restrict the execution of unsigned Java applets. Organizations should also implement strict access controls and network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification under CWE categories related to insecure deployment mechanisms and improper input validation highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and regular security assessments of deployment frameworks. Additionally, the ATT&CK framework suggests that organizations should implement defensive measures such as process monitoring and anomaly detection to identify potential exploitation attempts targeting the Java Deployment subsystem, as these attacks often occur through web-based delivery mechanisms that can be detected through network traffic analysis and behavioral monitoring systems.