Note: This is an archival copy of Security Sun Alert 233323 as previously published on http://sunsolve.sun.com. Latest version of this security advisory is available from http://support.oracle.com as Sun Alert 1019018.1. |
Category Security Release Phase Resolved 6605184, 6605187, 6609756, 6623233, 6611594 Date of Resolved Release 04-Mar-2008 Multiple Security Vulnerabilities in Java Web Start May Allow an Untrusted Application to Elevate Privileges 1. ImpactThree buffer overflow security vulnerabilities in Java Web Start may independently allow an untrusted Java Web Start application that is downloaded from a website to elevate its privileges. For example, an untrusted Java Web Start application may grant itself permissions to read and write local files or execute local applications that are accessible to the user running the untrusted application.A vulnerability in Java Web Start may allow an untrusted Java Web Start application to elevate its privileges. For example, an application may grant itself permissions to read and write local files or execute local applications that are accessible to the user running the untrusted application. A vulnerability in Java Web Start may allow an untrusted Java Web Start application to create files on the system that the untrusted application runs on and leverage these files to run local applications with the privileges of the user running the untrusted Java Web Start application. Sun acknowledges with thanks, the following for bringing these issues to our attention: An anonymous researcher working with the Zero Day Initiative (http://www.zerodayinitiative.com/) and TippingPoint (http://www.tippingpoint.com) for the first two issues. John Heasman of NGSSoftware for the last two issues. 2. Contributing FactorsThe first two issues can occur in Java Web Start in the following releases (for Windows, Solaris, and Linux):
The third and fourth issues can occur in Java Web Start in the following releases (for Windows, Solaris, and Linux):
To determine the default version of the JRE that Internet Explorer uses:
To determine the default version of the JRE that Mozilla or Firefox browsers use, visit the URL "about:plugins". The browser will display a page called "Installed plug-ins" which lists the version of the Java Plug-in such as the following: Java(TM) Plug-in 1.5.0_11-b03
The above indicates the version of the JRE the browser uses is 1.5.0_11. 3. SymptomsThere are no predictable symptoms that would indicate the described issues have been exploited.4. WorkaroundTo reduce the likelihood of executing untrusted applications which may allow these issues to be exploited, Java Web Start applications may be disabled temporarily (until the updates or patches have been installed) as follows:For Internet Explorer (Windows):
http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.5.0/docs/guide/javaws/developersguide/overview.html#jws Note 2: It is also possible to launch applications through the command line in Windows, Solaris, and Linux. Unknown applications should not be launched through the command line. Sites may consider renaming the Java Web Start launcher ("javaws.exe" for Windows and "javaws" for Solaris and Linux) to prevent Java Web Start from launching. The launcher can be found at: For Windows: JDK and JRE 6: C:\Program
Files\Java\jre1.6.0_03\bin\javaws.exe
JDK and JRE 5: C:\Program
Files\Java\jre1.5.0_13\bin\javaws.exe
SDK and JRE 1.4.2: C:\Program
Files\Java\j2re1.4.2_16\javaws\javaws.exe
For Solaris (if installed using pkg): /usr/bin/javaws
For Linux (if installed using rpm): /usr/java/jre1.5.0/bin/javaws
5. ResolutionThe first two issues are addressed in the following releases (for Windows, Solaris, and Linux):
JRE 6 Update 5 is available through the Java Update Tool for Microsoft Windows users. JDK 6 Update 5 for Solaris is available in the following patches:
JDK 5.0 Update 15 for Solaris is available in the following patches:
Note: When installing a new version of the product from a source other than a Solaris patch, it is recommended that the old affected versions be removed from your system. To remove old affected versions on the Windows platform, please see: For more information on Security Sun Alerts, see 1009886.1. This Sun Alert notification is being provided to you on an "AS IS" basis. This Sun Alert notification may contain information provided by third parties. The issues described in this Sun Alert notification may or may not impact your system(s). Sun makes no representations, warranties, or guarantees as to the information contained herein. ANY AND ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR NON-INFRINGEMENT, ARE HEREBY DISCLAIMED. BY ACCESSING THIS DOCUMENT YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT SUN SHALL IN NO EVENT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES THAT ARISE OUT OF YOUR USE OR FAILURE TO USE THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN. This Sun Alert notification contains Sun proprietary and confidential information. It is being provided to you pursuant to the provisions of your agreement to purchase services from Sun, or, if you do not have such an agreement, the Sun.com Terms of Use. This Sun Alert notification may only be used for the purposes contemplated by these agreements. Copyright 2000-2008 Sun Microsystems, Inc., 4150 Network Circle, Santa Clara, CA 95054 U.S.A. All rights reserved. Product Sun Java Standard Edition (Java SE) References125136-07125137-07 125138-07 125139-07 118666-16 118667-16 118668-16 118669-16 Attachments This solution has no attachment |
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