Security Vulnerability in the Java Web Start Installer May be Leveraged to Allow Untrusted Java Web Start Application to Run As Trusted Application

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Security Vulnerability in the Java Web Start Installer May be Leveraged to Allow Untrusted Java Web Start Application to Run As Trusted Application

1. Impact

A security vulnerability in the Java Web Start Installer may be leveraged to allow an untrusted Java Web Start application to run as a trusted application and execute arbitrary code. This may occur when a user opens a specially crafted web page that exploits this vulnerability.

Sun acknowledges with thanks, Peter Csepely, working with the Zero Day Initiative (http://www.zerodayinitiative.com/) and TippingPoint (http://www.tippingpoint.com/) for bringing this issue to our attention.

2. Contributing Factors

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

• JDK and JRE 6 Update 16 and earlier

Note: JDK and JRE 5.0, and SDK and JRE 1.4.2 and 1.3.1 are not affected by this issue.

To determine the default version of the JRE that Internet Explorer uses, visit the URL:


To determine the default version of the JRE that Mozilla or Firefox browsers use, visit the URL "about:plugins".

The browser will display a page called "Installed plug-ins" which lists the version of the Java Plug-in such as the following:


The above output indicates that the version of the JRE the browser uses is version 6 Update 15.

3. Symptoms

There are no predictable 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 Windows, Solaris, and Linux:

• JDK and JRE 6 Update 17 or later

Java SE releases are available at:

JDK and JRE 6 Update 17:


JRE 6 Update 17:


through the Java Update tool for Microsoft Windows users.

JDK 6 Update 17 for Solaris is available in the following patches:

• Java SE 6 Update 17 (as delivered in patch 125136-19)
• Java SE 6 Update 17 (as delivered in patch 125137-19 (64bit))
• Java SE 6 x86 Update 17 (as delivered in patch 125138-19)
• Java SE 6 x86 Update 17 (as delivered in patch 125139-19 (64bit))

Java SE for Business releases are available at:

http://www.sun.com/software/javaseforbusiness/getit_download.jsp

Note 1: After release it was discovered that the following patches do not install: 125136-18, 125137-18, 125138-18, and 125139-18 (These are harmless because they do not install at all).

To resolve the issue described in this Sun Alert, please use the next revision of these patches as listed:
125136-19, 125137-19, 125138-19, and 125139-19

Note 2: 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 2000-2009 Sun Microsystems, Inc., 4150 Network Circle, Santa Clara, CA 95054 U.S.A. All rights reserved.


Modification History

03-Dec-2009: Updated Resolution section for new patch information

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