HP has released a security bulletin and software updates to address the Oracle Java Security Manager bypass arbitrary code execution vulnerability.
Description
Oracle Java contains a vulnerability that could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on a targeted system.
The vulnerability exists because the affected software fails to properly restrict access to the setSecurityManager() function. An unauthenticated, remote attacker could exploit this vulnerability to bypass Java sandbox restrictions by convincing a user to visit a crafted HTML document or website that is designed to submit malicious input to the vulnerable system. Successful exploitation could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges on the system.
Functional exploit code is publicly available as part of the Metasploit Framework.
Oracle has confirmed the vulnerability and released software updates.
Warning Indicators
Oracle Java Runtime Environment (JRE) versions prior to 7.0 update 6 are vulnerable. Other versions may also be affected.
IntelliShield Analysis
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.
Exploitation of the vulnerability continues to increase. Reports indicate the Blackhole exploit kit has adopted available exploits, and attackers may use it to build exploits and malicious software to target vulnerable systems. Exploits in the wild have been seen installing a variant of the Poison Ivy remote access trojan.
US-CERT has released a vulnerability note at the following link: VU#636312
Impact
An unauthenticated, remote attacker could exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code on a targeted system with the privileges of the user. If the user holds elevated privileges, the attacker could completely compromise the system.
Technical Information
The vulnerability exists because the affected software fails to properly restrict access to the setSecurityManager() function, which can allow an unprivileged Java applet to set its own privileges, using the Security Manager component to load and modify the Gondzz.class and Gondvv.class. As a result, an attacker could bypass Java sandbox restrictions, allowing the attacker to run arbitrary Java code outside the sandbox.
An unauthenticated, remote attacker can exploit this vulnerability by convincing a user to visit a crafted HTML document or website that is designed to submit malicious input to the vulnerable function of the affected software. Processing the malicious input may allow the attacker to execute arbitrary code on a targeted system.
Safeguards
Administrators are advised to apply the available software updates.
Administrators may consider disabling the Java browser plug-in.
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 software updates at the following link: Java SE 7 Update 7
Apple has released updated software at the following links:
Red Hat has released updated software for registered subscribers at the following link: Red Hat Network. Red Hat packages can be updated on Red Hat Enterprise Linux versions 5 and later using the yum tool.
Signatures
Cisco Systems Cisco Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) 6.0
Version 9, September 20, 2012, 11:19 AM: Red Hat has released an additional security advisory and updated packages to address the Oracle Java Security Manager bypass arbitrary code execution vulnerability.
Version 8, September 12, 2012, 3:09 PM: IBM has released a security alert and updated software to address the Oracle Java Security Manager bypass arbitrary code execution vulnerability.
Version 7, September 6, 2012, 2:47 PM: Apple has released a security advisory and updated software to address the Oracle Java Security Manager bypass arbitrary code execution vulnerability.
Version 6, September 4, 2012, 4:13 PM: Red Hat has released an additional security advisory and updated software to address the Oracle Java Security Manager bypass arbitrary code execution vulnerability.
Version 5, August 30, 2012, 3:55 PM: Oracle has released a security alert and software updates to address the Java Security Manager bypass arbitrary code execution vulnerability.
Version 4, August 30, 2012, 1:41 PM: FreeBSD has released a VuXML document to address the Oracle Java Security Manager bypass arbitrary code execution vulnerability.
Version 3, August 29, 2012, 4:42 PM: Additional reports regarding exploitation of this vulnerability are available.
Version 2, August 28, 2012, 3:51 PM: Additional technical information that describes the Oracle Java Security Manager bypass arbitrary code execution vulnerability is available.
Version 1, August 27, 2012, 3:10 PM: Oracle Java contains a vulnerability that could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on a targeted system. Updates are not 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
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
FreeBSD Project
FreeBSD
6.3 Base | 6.4 Base | 7.0 Base | 7.1 Base | 7.2 Base | 7.3 Base | 7.4 Base | 8.0 Base | 8.1 Base | 8.2 Base | 8.3 Base | 9.0 Base
HP
HP-UX
11.23 Base | 11.31 Base
IBM
Java Development Kit (JDK)
7.0 Base, SR1
Red Hat, Inc.
Red Hat Enterprise Linux Desktop
6 IA-32, x86_64
Red Hat, Inc.
Red Hat Enterprise Linux Desktop Supplementary
6 IA-32, x86_64
Red Hat, Inc.
Red Hat Enterprise Linux HPC Node
6 x86_64
Red Hat, Inc.
Red Hat Enterprise Linux HPC Node Supplementary
6 x86_64
Red Hat, Inc.
Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server
6 IA-32, x86_64
Red Hat, Inc.
Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Supplementary
6 IA-32, PPC, s390x, x86_64
Red Hat, Inc.
Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation
6 IA-32, x86_64
Red Hat, Inc.
Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation Supplementary
6 IA-32, x86_64
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