Note: This is an archival copy of Security Sun Alert 244989 as previously published on http://sunsolve.sun.com. Latest version of this security advisory is available from http://support.oracle.com as Sun Alert 1019739.1. |
Category Security Release Phase Resolved 6728071 Date of Resolved Release 03-Dec-2008 The Java Runtime Environment (JRE) "Java Update" Mechanism Does Not Check the Digital Signature of the JRE that it Downloads 1. Impact The Java Runtime Environment (JRE) "Java Update" mechanism does not check the digital signature of the JRE that it downloads. This may allow a malicious file to be downloaded and installed if the DNS information that the JRE uses when checking for updates is compromised. Sun acknowledges with thanks, Francisco Amato for bringing this issue to our attention. 2. Contributing Factors This issue can occur in the following Java SE releases (for the Windows 32-bit release only):
1. SDK and JRE 1.3.x is not affected. 2. The "Java Update" feature is available only on the Windows 32-bit platform. The Windows 64-bit, Solaris and Linux platforms are not affected by this issue. 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 as in the following example: Java(TM) Plug-in 1.5.0_11-b03
(Indicating that the JRE version the browser uses is 1.5.0_11). 3. Symptoms There are no predictable symptoms that would indicate the described issue has been exploited. 4. Workaround For the affected releases mentioned above, the "Automatic Update" feature of the "Java Update" mechanism can be disabled as a workaround. To disable "Automatic Update": 1. Click "Start" -> "Settings" -> "Control Panel"
Note: The "Update" tab may not be available if your network
administrator has disabled the "Java Update" feature during installation2. Double-click the "Java" icon. The "Java Control Panel" appears 3. Click the "Update" tab
4. To disable "Java Update" to automatically check for updates,
un-select the "Check for Updates Automatically" check box (if checked).
Alternatively, see the Resolution section below. 5. Resolution This issue is addressed in the following Java SE releases (for Windows 32-bit):
Java SE releases are available at: JDK 6 Update 11: JRE 6 Update 11: and through the Java Update tool for Microsoft Windows users. Java SE releases SDK and JRE 1.4.2 have completed the Sun End of Service Life (EOSL) process. Sun recommends that users upgrade to the latest Java SE release. Customers interested in continuing to receive critical fixes on SDK and JRE 1.4.2 are encouraged to migrate to Java SE for Business. 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) Attachments This solution has no attachment |
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