Sun's Java Development Kit (JDK) and Java Runtime Environment (JRE) do not adequately constrain applets from privilege escalation and arbitrary code execution.
Background ==========
Sun's JDK and JRE provide interpreters for Java Applets in a sandboxed environment. These implementations provide the Java Web Start technology that can be used for easy client-side deployment of Java applications.
Affected packages =================
------------------------------------------------------------------- Package / Vulnerable / Unaffected ------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 dev-java/sun-jdk < 1.4.2.10 >= 1.4.2.10 2 dev-java/sun-jre-bin < 1.4.2.10 >= 1.4.2.10 ------------------------------------------------------------------- 2 affected packages on all of their supported architectures. -------------------------------------------------------------------
Description ===========
Applets executed using JRE or JDK can use "reflection" APIs functions to elevate its privileges beyond the sandbox restrictions. Adam Gowdiak discovered five vulnerabilities that use this method for privilege escalation. Two more vulnerabilities were discovered by the vendor. Peter Csepely discovered that Web Start Java applications also can an escalate their privileges.
Impact ======
A malicious Java applet can bypass Java sandbox restrictions and hence access local files, connect to arbitrary network locations and execute arbitrary code on the user's machine. Java Web Start applications are affected likewise.
Workaround ==========
Select another Java implementation using java-config.
Resolution ==========
All Sun JDK users should upgrade to the latest version:
Security is a primary focus of Gentoo Linux and ensuring the confidentiality and security of our users machines is of utmost importance to us. Any security concerns should be addressed to security@gentoo.org or alternatively, you may file a bug at http://bugs.gentoo.org.
License =======
Copyright 2006 Gentoo Foundation, Inc; referenced text belongs to its owner(s).
The contents of this document are licensed under the Creative Commons - Attribution / Share Alike license.