CVE-2013-5910 in Java SE
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Oracle Java SE 6u65 and 7u45, Java SE Embedded 7u45, and OpenJDK 7 allows remote attackers to affect integrity via unknown vectors related to Security. NOTE: the previous information is from the January 2014 CPU. Oracle has not commented on third-party claims that CanonicalizerBase.java in the XML canonicalizer allows untrusted code to access mutable byte arrays.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/07/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-5910 represents a significant security flaw within Oracle Java SE and OpenJDK implementations that affects versions through 6u65, 7u45, and their embedded counterparts. This issue resides within the security framework of Java applications and specifically targets the XML canonicalization process, which is a critical component for ensuring consistent representation of XML documents. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation mechanisms in the CanonicalizerBase.java file, which is part of the XML canonicalizer implementation that processes and standardizes XML data structures. The weakness allows for potential manipulation of data integrity through maliciously crafted XML inputs that exploit how byte arrays are handled during the canonicalization process.
The technical nature of this vulnerability falls under the category of security flaws related to improper handling of untrusted data within XML processing components. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-254, which addresses security weaknesses in the XML canonicalizer, and potentially CWE-122, which covers buffer overflow conditions in memory management. The attack vector involves remote exploitation where malicious actors can craft XML documents that, when processed through the vulnerable Java applications, allow unauthorized access to mutable byte arrays that should remain protected from external modification. This creates a scenario where attackers can manipulate underlying data structures and potentially execute code or alter application behavior through indirect means.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-5910 extends beyond simple data corruption, as it fundamentally undermines the integrity of XML processing within Java applications. Systems utilizing affected Java versions that process untrusted XML data become vulnerable to attacks that could compromise the entire application stack, particularly in environments where XML canonicalization is used for security purposes such as digital signatures, XML encryption, or data validation. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in web applications, enterprise systems, and any platform that relies on XML canonicalization for maintaining data consistency and security. Attackers could exploit this weakness to manipulate XML documents in ways that bypass security controls, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, privilege escalation, or complete system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected Java installations to the latest security releases from Oracle and OpenJDK maintainers. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of systems that process untrusted XML data. Additionally, application-level defenses should include input validation and sanitization of XML data before processing, along with monitoring for anomalous XML canonicalization activities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the technique of "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation" and "Data Manipulation" where adversaries can leverage weaknesses in XML processing to modify application behavior. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and runtime application self-protection mechanisms to detect and prevent exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability in their Java-based applications.