Seven (7) vulnerabilities with the use of "reflection" APIs in the Java Runtime Environment may independently allow an untrusted applet to elevate its privileges. For example an applet may grant itself permissions to read and write local files or execute local applications that are accessible to the user running the untrusted applet.

Sun acknowledges, with thanks, Adam Gowdiak, for bringing five of the seven issues to our attention.

The first issue can occur in the following releases (for Windows, Solaris and Linux):

• JDK and JRE 5.0 Update 3 and earlier
• SDK and JRE 1.4.2_08 and earlier
• SDK and JRE 1.3.1_16 and earlier

The second and third issues can occur in the following releases (for Windows, Solaris, and Linux):

• JDK and JRE 5.0 Update 4 and earlier
• SDK and JRE 1.4.2_09 and earlier

Note: SDK and JRE 1.3.x are not affected.

The fourth issue can occur in the following releases (for Windows, Solaris, and Linux):

• JDK and JRE 5.0 Update 4 and earlier

Note: SDK and JRE 1.4.x and 1.3.x are not affected.

The fifth, sixth, and seventh issues can occur in the following releases (for Windows, Solaris, and Linux):

• JDK and JRE 5.0 Update 5 and earlier

Note: SDK and JRE 1.4.x and 1.3.x are not affected.

To determine the default version of the JRE on a system:

For Windows:

1. Click "Start"
2. Select "Run"
3. Type "cmd"
4. At the prompt, type "java -fullversion"

For Solaris and Linux:

    % java -fullversion
    java full version "1.5.0_02-b09"

Note: The above command only determines the default version. Other versions may also be installed on the system.

There are no reliable symptoms that would show the described issues have been exploited.

There is no workaround. Please see the "Resolution" section below.

The first issue is addressed in the following releases:

• JDK and JRE 5.0 Update 4 and later
• SDK and JRE 1.4.2_09 and later
• SDK and JRE 1.3.1_17 and later

The second and third issues are addressed in the following releases:

• JDK and JRE 5.0 Update 5 and later
• SDK and JRE 1.4.2_10 and later

The fourth issue is addressed in the following releases:

• JDK and JRE 5.0 Update 5 and later

The fifth, sixth, and seventh issues are addressed in the following releases:

• JDK and JRE 5.0 Update 6 and later

J2SE 5.0 is available for download at:

• http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.5.0/download.jsp
• http://java.com

J2SE 1.4.2 is available for download at:

• http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.4.2/download.html

Note: It is recommended that affected versions be removed from your system. For more information, please see the installation notes on the respective java.sun.com download pages.

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