TippingPoint Zero Day Initiative
 

Sun Java Web Start Sandbox Bypass Vulnerability

ZDI-08-042: July 17th, 2008

CVE ID

Affected Vendors

Affected Products

    Java Runtime

Vulnerability Details

This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable installations of Sun Java Web Start. User interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability in that the target must visit a malicious page.

The specific flaw exists in the writeManifest() method of the CacheEntry class. A directory traversal flaw in this method allows the creation of arbitrary files on the target system. After the file has been created, a call to Runtime.getRuntime.exec() can be used to execute the file.

Vendor Response

Sun Microsystems has issued an update to correct this vulnerability. More details can be found at:

Disclosure Timeline

    2008-05-05 - Vulnerability reported to vendor
    2008-07-17 - Coordinated public release of advisory

Credit

This vulnerability was discovered by:
    Peter Csepely