Highly Critical : Sun Java JRE Sandbox Security Bypass Vulnerabilities
Once again, Sun drops the ball. Besides the ongoing issue with the Java automatic updating mechanism, Secunia issued this Highly Critical alert on 11/29/05 Sun Java JRE Sandbox Security Bypass Vulnerabilities
Description:
Some vulnerabilities have been reported in Sun Java JRE (Java Runtime Environment), which can be exploited by malicious people to compromise a user's system.1) An unspecified error may be exploited by a malicious, untrusted applet to read and write local files or execute local applications.
The vulnerability has been reported in JDK/JRE 5.0 Update 3 and prior on Windows, Solaris and Linux platforms. SDK/JRE 1.4.2_xx and prior, and 1.3.1_xx releases are not affected.
2) Three unspecified vulnerabilities with the use of "reflection" APIs error may be exploited by a malicious, untrusted applet to read and write local files or execute local applications.
The following releases are affected by one or more of the three vulnerabilities on Windows, Solaris and Linux platforms:
* SDK and JRE 1.3.1_15 and prior.
* SDK and JRE 1.4.2_08 and prior.
* JDK and JRE 5.0 Update 3 and prior.3) An unspecified error in the JMX (Java Management Extensions) implementation included with the JRE may be exploited by a malicious, untrusted applet to read and write local files or execute local applications.
The vulnerability has been reported in JDK/JRE 5.0 Update 3 and prior on Windows, Solaris and Linux platforms. SDK/JRE 1.4.2_xx and prior, and 1.3.1_xx releases are not affected.
Solution:
Update to the fixed versions.JDK and JRE 5.0:
Update to JDK and JRE 5.0 Update 4 or later.
http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.5.0/download.jspSDK and JRE 1.4.x:
Update to SDK and JRE 1.4.2_09 or later.
http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.4.2/download.htmlSDK and JRE 1.3.x:
Update to SDK and JRE 1.3.1_16 or later.
http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.3/download.htmlProvided and/or discovered by:
The vendor credits Adam Gowdiak.Original Advisory:
Sun Microsystems:
http://sunsolve.sun.com/search/document.do?assetkey=1-26-102050-1
http://sunsolve.sun.com/search/document.do?assetkey=1-26-102003-1
http://sunsolve.sun.com/search/document.do?assetkey=1-26-102017-1
REMEMBER: The java autotmatic update mechanism does NOT uninstall the older, vulnerable versions previously installed. To uninstall them, go to Add/Remove Programs in the Control Panel and click on Remove.
Maybe if Sun bundled some security with their updates instead of the Google Toolbar, then the average User wouldn't need to uninstall older versions.
And, to top it all off, if one goes to Sun's very own java version checking page, it does NOT report the correct number of the latest version. I tested this on my normal, every day OS, Win XP Pro, and it claimed the system had the latest version, when in fact, it was two versions behind. It had JSE 1.5._04 installed and the latest version, as of today, is 1.5.0_6.
How do your like your Google Toolbar now ? Pathetic, Sun, just pathetic.