A Buffer Overflow Vulnerability in the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) May Allow Privileges to be Escalated

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A Buffer Overflow Vulnerability in the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) May Allow Privileges to be Escalated

1. Impact

A buffer overflow vulnerability in the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) may allow an untrusted Java application that is launched through the command line to escalate privileges. For example, the untrusted Java application may grant itself permissions to read and write local files or execute local applications that are accessible to the user running the untrusted Java application.

This vulnerability cannot be exploited by an applet or Java Web Start application.

Sun acknowledges with thanks, Stefan Middendorf from Cirosec for bringing this issue to our attention.
Additional information on this issue can be found at:

http://www.ximido.de/research/advisories/SM_Java-BO_200811.txt

2. Contributing Factors

This issue can occur in the following Java SE and Java SE for Business releases for Solaris, Windows and Linux:

• JDK and JRE 6 Update 10 and earlier
• JDK and JRE 5.0 Update 16 and earlier
• SDK and JRE 1.4.2_18 and earlier

Note: SDK and JRE 1.3.1 are not affected.

To determine the default version of the JRE on a system for Solaris and Linux, the following command can be run:

% java -version

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

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

1. Click "Start"
2. Select "Run"
3. Type "cmd" (starts a command-line)
4. At the prompt, type "java -version"

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

3. Symptoms

There are no reliable symptoms that would indicate the described issue has been exploited.

4. Workaround

There is no workaround for this issue. Please see the Resolution section below.

5. Resolution

This issue is addressed in the following Java SE and Java SE for Business releases for Solaris, Windows and Linux:

• JDK and JRE 6 Update 11 or later
• JDK and JRE 5.0 Update 17 or later
• SDK and JRE 1.4.2_19 or later

Java SE releases are available at:

JDK 6 Update 11:


JRE Update 11:


and through the Java Update tool for Microsoft Windows users

JDK 6 Update 11 for Solaris is available in the following patches:

• Java SE 6: Update 11 (as delivered in patch 125136-12)
• Java SE 6: Update 11 (as delivered in patch 125137-12 (64bit))
• Java SE 6_x86: Update 11 (as delivered in patch 125138-12)
• Java SE 6_x86: Update 11 (as delivered in patch 125139-12 (64bit))

JDK and JRE 5.0 Update 17:


JDK 5.0 Update 17 for Solaris is available in the following patches:

• J2SE 5.0: Update 17 (as delivered in patch 118666-18)
• J2SE 5.0: Update 17 (as delivered in patch 118667-18 (64bit))
• J2SE 5.0_x86: Update 17 (as delivered in patch 118668-18)
• J2SE 5.0_x86: Update 17 (as delivered in patch 118669-18 (64bit))

SDK and JRE 1.4.2_19:


Java SE for Business releases are available at:


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.

Note: When installing a new version of the product from a source other than a Solaris patch, it is recommended that the old affected versions be removed from your system. To remove old affected versions on the Windows platform, please see:


For more information on Security Sun Alerts, see Technical Instruction ID 213557.

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.




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