March 2005
Sun - Security Vulnerability With Java Web Start (57740)
ID: 00227
Ref: 206/2005
Date: 21 March 2005:15:20:21
Version: 1
Title: Sun - Security Vulnerability With Java Web Start (57740)
Abstract:
Vendors affected: Sun
Operating systems affected: Sun
Applications affected: Sun
Title
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Sun - Security Vulnerability With Java Web Start (57740)
Detail
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A vulnerability in Java Web Start may allow an untrusted application the
ability to elevate its privileges. As a result, an application may grant itself
permissions to read and write local files or execute local applications that are
accessible to the user running the Java Web Start application.
PLEASE NOTE- The following is a plain text copy of a Sun SunSolve web page,
which is located at:
http://sunsolve.sun.com/search/printfriendly.do?assetkey=1-26-57740-1
Document Audience: PUBLIC
Document ID: 57740
Title: Document ID 57740
Synopsis: Security Vulnerability With Java Web Start
Update Date: 2005-03-18
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Description
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Sun(sm) Alert Notification
Sun Alert ID: 57740
Synopsis: Security Vulnerability With Java Web Start
Category: Security
Product: Java 2 Platform Standard Edition (J2SE)
BugIDs: 6175681
Avoidance: Upgrade
State: Resolved
Date Released: 16-Mar-2005
Date Closed: 16-Mar-2005
Date Modified:
1. Impact A vulnerability in Java Web Start may allow an untrusted application the
ability to elevate its privileges. As a result, an application may grant itself
permissions to read and write local files or execute local applications that are
accessible to the user running the Java Web Start application.
Sun acknowledges, with thanks, Jouko Pynnonen for bringing this issue to our attention.
2. Contributing Factors This issue can occur in Java Web Start in the following J2SE
releases:
1.4.2_06 and earlier 1.4.2 releases for Windows, Solaris and Linux
Note: Java Web Start in J2SE 5.0 and later and J2SE releases prior to 1.4.2 for
Windows, Solaris and Linux are not affected by this issue. Java Web Start 1.0.1_02
and earlier are also not affected.
To determine the version of Java on a system, run the following command:
% java -fullversion
java full version "1.4.2_06-b01"
3. Symptoms There are no reliable symptoms that would indicate the described issue
has been exploited.
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Solution Summary
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4. Relief/Workaround To work around the described issue, disable Java Web Start
applications from being launched from a web browser as follows:
For Internet Explorer:
1. Right click on the "Start" button and select "Explore"
2. In the "Start Menu" window, select "Tools" => "Folder Options"
3. From the "Folder Options" window, select the "File Types" tab
4. From the "Registered File Types" window, scroll down and locate the
"JNLP - JNLP File"
5. Select the "JNLP - JNLP File" and click the "Delete" button
For Mozilla:
1. Select "Preferences" under the browser's "Edit" menu
2. In the "Preferences" window, select "Helper Applications" located under the
"Navigator" category
3. Under "Files types", scroll down and locate "application/x-java-jnlp-file"
4. Select "application/x-java-jnlp-file" and click the "Remove" button
Notes:
1. On Microsoft Windows, applications may also be launched from the desktop icon
or Start Menu if a shortcut was previously created for an application. Unknown
applications should not be launched through the desktop icon or the Start Menu.
Shortcuts can be removed by using the Java Web Start Application Manager through
the "Application/Remove Shortcut" menu item. For more information, see:
http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.4.2/docs/guide/jws/Readme.html
2. It is also possible to launch applications through the command line in Windows,
Solaris, and Linux. Unknown applications should not be launched through the command
line. Sites may consider renaming the Java Web Start launcher ("javaws.exe" for
Windows and "javaws" for Solaris and Linux) to prevent Java Web Start from launching.
The launcher can be found at:
Windows:
C:\Program Files\java\j2re1.4.2\javaws\javaws.exe
Solaris (if installed using pkg):
/usr/bin/javaws
Linux (if installed using rpm):
/usr/java/j2re1.4.2/javaws/javaws
5. Resolution This issue is addressed in Java Web Start in the following J2SE releases:
1.4.2_07 or later for Windows, Solaris and Linux
J2SE releases are available for download at the following links:
J2SE 5.0 Update 2 at: http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.5.0/index.jsp and http://java.com
J2SE 1.4.2_07 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.
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
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All rights reserved.