IntelliShield has updated this alert to reflect changes in the urgency rating and CVSS scoring to address the Oracle Java Runtime Environment AtomicReferenceArray type violation remote code execution vulnerability. Updated information on additional exploit toolkits is also available.
Description
Multiple versions of Oracle Java Runtime Environment (JRE) contain a vulnerability that could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on a targeted system.
The vulnerability is due to an implementation flaw in the affected software. An unauthenticated, remote attacker could exploit this vulnerability by persuading a user to visit a malicious web page. Successful exploitation could allow the attacker to bypass security restrictions and execute arbitrary code on the system with the privileges of the user.
Functional code that exploits this vulnerability is publicly available from exploit toolkits such as Incognito, Phoenix, and Black Hole.
Oracle has confirmed this vulnerability and released software updates.
Warning Indicators
The following Oracle products are vulnerable:
JRE versions 7 Update 2 and prior
JRE versions 6 Update 30 and prior
JRE versions 5 Update 33 and prior
IntelliShield Analysis
Reports indicate that this vulnerability is being actively exploited in the wild and that an exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, leading to a complete system compromise.
To exploit the vulnerability, the attacker may provide a link that directs a user to a malicious site and use misleading language or instructions to persuade the user to follow the provided link.
Oracle has updated the CVSS base score for this vulnerability on May 17, 2012.
On client deployments of Java, this vulnerability can be exploited only through untrusted Java Web Start applications and untrusted Java applets because of the limited privileges these applications run in the Java sandbox.
An unauthenticated, remote attacker could exploit this vulnerability to bypass security restrictions and execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges on a targeted system. Successful exploitation could lead to a complete system compromise.
Technical Information
The vulnerability exists because the AtomicReferenceArray class could perform deserialization of an object array in an unsafe manner. Due to this unsafe deserialization, an unauthenticated, remote attacker could bypass the JRE sandbox mechanism and execute arbitrary code on the system outside the sandbox protections.
An unauthenticated, remote attacker could exploit this vulnerability by persuading a user to visit a malicious web page. The processing of malicious Java content in the web page could trigger a logical flaw that the attacker could use to bypass security sandbox mechanisms and execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user.
Safeguards
Administrators are advised to apply the appropriate updates.
Users are advised not to open e-mail messages from suspicious or unrecognized sources. If users cannot verify that links or attachments included in e-mail messages are safe, they are advised not to open them.
Administrators are advised to monitor affected systems.
Patches/Software
Oracle has released patches for registered users at the following link: Oracle
Apple has released updated software at the following links:
Version 9, June 15, 2012, 1:30 PM: IBM has released an additional security bulletin and updated software to address the Oracle Java Runtime Environment AtomicReferenceArray type violation remote code execution vulnerability.
Version 8, June 1, 2012, 9:51 AM: HP has released an additional security bulletin and updated software to address the Oracle Java Runtime Environment AtomicReferenceArray type violation remote code execution vulnerability.
Version 7, May 31, 2012, 9:31 AM: IBM has released an additional APAR and fixes to address the Oracle Java Runtime Environment AtomicReferenceArray type violation remote code execution vulnerability.
Version 6, April 25, 2012, 10:04 AM: Red Hat has released an additional security advisory and updated packages to address the Oracle Java Runtime Environment AtomicReferenceArray type violation remote code execution vulnerability.
Version 5, April 23, 2012, 3:30 PM: Red Hat has re-released an additional security advisory and updated packages to address the Oracle Java Runtime Environment AtomicReferenceArray type violation remote code execution vulnerability.
Version 4, April 20, 2012, 12:41 PM: IBM has released an APAR and fixes to address the Oracle Java Runtime Environment AtomicReferenceArray type violation remote code execution vulnerability.
Version 3, April 5, 2012, 2:46 PM: Apple has released a security advisory and updated software to address the Oracle Java Runtime Environment AtomicReferenceArray type violation remote code execution vulnerability.
Version 2, April 4, 2012, 2:34 PM: HP has released an additional security bulletin and updated software to address the Oracle Java Runtime Environment AtomicReferenceArray type violation remote code execution vulnerability.
Version 1, March 30, 2012, 3:45 PM: Oracle Java Runtime Environment contains a vulnerability that could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to bypass security restrictions and execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. Updates are available.
10.6 Intel, PPC | 10.6.1 Intel, PPC | 10.6.2 Base | 10.6.3 Base | 10.6.4 Base | 10.6.5 Base | 10.6.6 Base | 10.6.7 Base | 10.6.8 Base | 10.7 Base | 10.7.1 Base | 10.7.2 Base | 10.7.3 Base
Apple
Mac OS X Server
10.6 Intel, PPC | 10.6.1 Intel, PPC | 10.6.2 Base | 10.6.3 Base | 10.6.4 Base | 10.6.5 Base | 10.6.6 Base | 10.6.7 Base | 10.6.8 Base | 10.7 Base | 10.7.1 Base | 10.7.2 Base | 10.7.3 Base
Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation Supplementary
6 IA-32, x86_64
Red Hat, Inc.
RHEL Supplementary
5 IA-32, PPC, PPC64, S390, S390x, x86_64
Alerts and bulletins on the Cisco Security Intelligence Operations Portal are highlighted by analysts in the
Cisco Threat Operations Center and represent a subset of the comprehensive content that is available through Cisco Security IntelliShield Alert Manager Service.
This customizable threat and vulnerability alert service provides security staff with access to timely, accurate, and credible information about threats and vulnerabilities that may affect their environment. Cisco is pleased to offer a free trial of the service.
To register for full access, please visit the IntelliShield trial registration page.
LEGAL DISCLAIMER The urgency and severity ratings of this alert are not tailored to individual users; users may value alerts differently based upon their network configurations and circumstances. THE ALERT, AND INFORMATION CONTAINED THEREIN, ARE PROVIDED ON AN "AS IS" BASIS AND DO NOT IMPLY ANY KIND OF GUARANTEE OR WARRANTY, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR USE. YOUR USE OF THE ALERT, AND INFORMATION CONTAINED THEREIN, OR MATERIALS LINKED FROM THE ALERT, IS AT YOUR OWN RISK. INFORMATION IN THIS ALERT AND ANY RELATED COMMUNICATIONS IS BASED ON OUR KNOWLEDGE AT THE TIME OF PUBLICATION AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. CISCO RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CHANGE OR UPDATE ALERTS AT ANY TIME.