Description
Multiple vulnerabilities in Oracle Java 7 before Update 11 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by (1) using the public getMBeanInstantiator method in the JmxMBeanServer class to obtain a reference to a private MBeanInstantiator object, then retrieving arbitrary Class references using the findClass method, and (2) using the Reflection API with recursion in a way that bypasses a security check by the java.lang.invoke.MethodHandles.Lookup.checkSecurityManager method due to the inability of the sun.reflect.Reflection.getCallerClass method to skip frames related to the new reflection API, as exploited in the wild in January 2013, as demonstrated by Blackhole and Nuclear Pack, and a different vulnerability than CVE-2012-4681 and CVE-2012-3174. NOTE: some parties have mapped the recursive Reflection API issue to CVE-2012-3174, but CVE-2012-3174 is for a different vulnerability whose details are not public as of 20130114. CVE-2013-0422 covers both the JMX/MBean and Reflection API issues. NOTE: it was originally reported that Java 6 was also vulnerable, but the reporter has retracted this claim, stating that Java 6 is not exploitable because the relevant code is called in a way that does not bypass security checks. NOTE: as of 20130114, a reliable third party has claimed that the findClass/MBeanInstantiator vector was not fixed in Oracle Java 7 Update 11. If there is still a vulnerable condition, then a separate CVE identifier might be created for the unfixed issue.
Fixed in Linux distributions
Distributions backport fixes, so the version that fixes this vulnerability differs per release — upgrade to at least the version shown. From the distributions' security trackers and advisories.
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 6 | java-1.7.0-ibm +5 | 1:1.7.0.4.0-1jpp.2.el6_4 | RHSA-2013:0626 |
| RHEL 6 | java-1.7.0-openjdk +4 | 1:1.7.0.9-2.3.4.1.el6_3 | RHSA-2013:0165 |
| RHEL 6 | java-1.7.0-oracle +5 | 1:1.7.0.11-1jpp.3.el6_3 | RHSA-2013:0156 |
| RHEL 5 | java-1.7.0-ibm +5 | 1:1.7.0.4.0-1jpp.2.el5_9 | RHSA-2013:0626 |
| RHEL 5 | java-1.7.0-openjdk +4 | 1:1.7.0.9-2.3.4.el5_9.1 | RHSA-2013:0165 |
| RHEL 5 | java-1.7.0-oracle +5 | 1:1.7.0.11-1jpp.3.el5_9 | RHSA-2013:0156 |
openSUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| openSUSE Tumbleweed | java-1_7_0-openjdk | 1.7.0.121-1.1 | openSUSE-SU-2024:10534-1 |
Public exploits
Exploit or proof-of-concept code for this vulnerability is publicly available, which lowers the bar for attackers. Treat it as a reason to patch sooner.
Metasploit 1 module
-
Java Applet JMX Remote Code Execution
exploit/multi/browser/java_jre17_jmxbean
Exploit-DB 1
- Java Applet JMX - Remote Code Execution (Metasploit) (1) EDB-24045 · remote · Jan 11, 2013 · verified
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 4
- RHSA-2013:0626 Red Hat Security Advisory: java-1.7.0-ibm security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 29, 2026
- RHSA-2013:0156 Red Hat Security Advisory: java-1.7.0-oracle security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 29, 2026
- RHSA-2013:0165 Red Hat Security Advisory: java-1.7.0-openjdk security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 29, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2024:10534-1 java-1_7_0-openjdk-1.7.0.121-1.1 on GA media SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
References
- RHSA-2013:0156 vendor-advisory
- http://malware.dontneedcoffee.com/2013/01/0-day-17u10-spotted-in-while-disable.html
- MDVSA-2013:095 vendor-advisory
- http://blog.fuseyism.com/index.php/2013/01/15/security-icedtea-2-1-4-2-2-4-2-3-4-released/
- openSUSE-SU-2013:0199 vendor-advisory
- RHSA-2013:0165 vendor-advisory
- VU#625617 third-party-advisory
- TA13-010A third-party-advisory
- https://partners.immunityinc.com/idocs/Java%20MBeanInstantiator.findClass%200day%20Analysis.pdf
- http://blog.fireeye.com/research/2013/01/happy-new-year-from-new-java-zero-day.html
- https://www-304.ibm.com/connections/blogs/PSIRT/entry/oracle_java_7_security_manager_bypass_vulnerability_cve_2013_04224?lang=en_us
- USN-1693-1 vendor-advisory
- https://wiki.mageia.org/en/Support/Advisories/MGASA-2013-0018
- http://immunityproducts.blogspot.ca/2013/01/confirmed-java-only-fixed-one-of-two.html
- https://threatpost.com/en_us/blogs/nasty-new-java-zero-day-found-exploit-kits-already-have-it-011013
- 20130110 [SE-2012-01] 'Fix' for Issue 32 exploited by new Java 0-day code mailing-list
- http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/topics/security/alert-cve-2013-0422-1896849.html
- http://krebsonsecurity.com/2013/01/zero-day-java-exploit-debuts-in-crimeware/
- http://labs.alienvault.com/labs/index.php/2013/new-year-new-java-zeroday/