CVE-2011-3544
Oracle Java SE Runtime Environment (JRE) Arbitrary Code Execution Vulnerability
Description
CVE-2011-3544 is a CRITICAL vulnerability in Oracle Java SE JDK and JRE, carrying a CVSS 3.1 score of 9.8. An access control vulnerability exists in the Applet Rhino Script Engine component of Oracle's Java Runtime Environment allows an attacker to remotely execute arbitrary code. The flaw is classified under CWE-284 (Improper Access Control). In typical attack scenarios, exploitation occurs through malicious Java applets embedded in web pages, drive-by downloads, or specially crafted applications that exploit the JVM runtime environment. This CVE is listed in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog with a remediation deadline of 2022-03-24. With an EPSS score of 0.92804 (99.76th percentile), this vulnerability exhibits substantial real-world exploitation activity.
KEV Information
CVSS Score
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HOpen in CalculatorAffected Products
| Vendor | Product | Version |
|---|---|---|
| oracle | jdk | < 1.6.0; 1.6.0; 1.7.0 |
| oracle | jre | < 1.6.0; 1.6.0; 1.7.0 |
| canonical | ubuntu linux | 10.04; 10.10; 11.04; 11.10 |
| redhat | satellite with embedded oracle | 5.4 |
| suse | linux enterprise java | 10 |
| suse | linux enterprise server | 10 |
Multiple CVSS Assessments
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
References
- http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2012-01/msg00049.html(Mailing List, Third Party Advisory)
- http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=132750579901589&w=2(Mailing List)
- http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=134254866602253&w=2(Mailing List)
- http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=134254957702612&w=2(Mailing List)
- http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2013-1455.html(Third Party Advisory)
- http://secunia.com/advisories/48308(Broken Link)
- http://security.gentoo.org/glsa/glsa-201406-32.xml(Third Party Advisory)
- http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/java/jdk/alerts/(Product)
- http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/topics/security/javacpuoct2011-443431.html(Patch, Vendor Advisory)
- http://www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2011-1384.html(Broken Link)
- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/50218(Broken Link, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry)
- http://www.securitytracker.com/id?1026215(Broken Link, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry)
- http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-1263-1(Third Party Advisory)
- https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/70849(Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry)
- https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A13947(Broken Link)
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2011-3544(US Government Resource)
Weakness Type
CWE-284: Improper Access Control
CVE-2011-3544 is classified under CWE-284 — Improper Access Control. Improper Access Control occurs when software does not properly restrict access to a resource from an unauthorized actor. This is a broad category that encompasses many specific access control failures including authentication bypass, authorization bypass, and improper enforcement of access policies. Access control involves determining who can access what resources and what actions they can perform. Failures can occur in authentication (who you are), authorization (what you can do), or accounting (tracking what was done).
In the context of Oracle Java SE JDK and JRE, this weakness class is particularly concerning because the product is widely deployed across enterprise and consumer environments. Access control failures are consistently among the most critical security vulnerabilities. They directly lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, unauthorized modification of systems, and potential complete system compromise. OWASP ranks Broken Access Control as the #1 vulnerability category. Real-world impacts include data breaches exposing millions of records, financial fraud, and system takeovers. Access control bugs are particularly dangerous because they often require no exploitation skills—just knowledge of the flaw. Organizations using affected versions should understand that this weakness class frequently enables reliable exploitation paths that threat actors actively leverage in both targeted and opportunistic attacks.
Impact Analysis
CVE-2011-3544 carries a CVSS 3.1 score of 9.8 (CRITICAL) with the following impact characteristics.
Confidentiality (HIGH): An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability gains access to all data accessible by the affected component. In the context of Oracle Java SE JDK and JRE, this can include sensitive configuration data, user credentials, proprietary business information, and any data the application processes or stores.
Integrity (HIGH): Successful exploitation enables an attacker to modify, corrupt, or destroy data within the affected system. This includes the potential to tamper with system files, install backdoors or persistent malware, alter critical configurations, and manipulate application logic to serve malicious purposes.
Availability (HIGH): The vulnerability can be exploited to cause complete denial of service, rendering the affected system or application unavailable to legitimate users. System crashes, infinite loops, or resource exhaustion may persist until manual administrative intervention restores normal operation.
Scope (Unchanged): The exploitation impact is contained within the security scope of the vulnerable component itself. While the damage within that scope can be severe with full compromise of the affected application, lateral impact on other systems requires additional exploitation steps.
With an EPSS score of 0.92804 (99.76th percentile), this vulnerability ranks among the most likely to be exploited in the wild, placing it well above the vast majority of all cataloged vulnerabilities in terms of real-world exploitation activity.
Exploit Maturity
CVE-2011-3544 demonstrates significant exploit maturity with confirmed active exploitation in the wild.
Active exploitation: This vulnerability is listed in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, confirming that it has been observed being actively exploited by threat actors. The KEV designation mandates federal agencies to apply remediation within a defined timeframe and serves as a strong signal of real-world risk.
Ransomware association: As of the current KEV catalog data, no direct ransomware association has been confirmed for CVE-2011-3544. However, the vulnerability's characteristics and confirmed exploitation in the wild mean it remains a viable vector for various threat actors including cybercriminals and advanced persistent threat groups.
Exploit availability: While specific public exploit code references were not identified in the NVD data, the vulnerability's inclusion in the KEV catalog confirms real-world exploitation. Threat intelligence sources and underground forums may host exploit tools not captured in public databases.
KEV remediation deadline: CISA set a remediation deadline of 2022-03-24 for federal agencies, underscoring the urgency of patching. Organizations beyond the federal sector should treat this deadline as a strong indicator of the risk level and prioritize remediation accordingly.
Remediation
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Apply vendor-provided security patches immediately. Apply updates per vendor instructions. Consult the official security advisory for specific patch versions and deployment guidance.
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Verify affected product versions in your environment. Affected products include: Jdk (< 1.6.0; 1.6.0; 1.7.0), Jre (< 1.6.0; 1.6.0; 1.7.0), Ubuntu Linux (10.04; 10.10; 11.04; 11.10), Satellite With Embedded Oracle (5.4), Linux Enterprise Java (10), Linux Enterprise Server (10). Conduct an inventory of all instances across your organization to ensure comprehensive patch coverage and prevent any unpatched systems from remaining exposed.
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Implement interim mitigations if immediate patching is not feasible. Restrict network access to the affected service using firewall rules and access control lists. Limit exposure to trusted networks only and monitor for suspicious network traffic patterns targeting the vulnerable service.
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Enable enhanced monitoring and detection. Configure intrusion detection systems and endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools to detect exploitation attempts targeting CVE-2011-3544. Review security logs for indicators of compromise and establish alerting for anomalous behavior on systems running affected software.
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Conduct a post-patch vulnerability assessment. After applying patches, verify that the remediation was effective by running vulnerability scans against all previously affected systems. Confirm the vulnerability is no longer present and ensure no instances were missed during deployment.
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Review and update incident response procedures. Ensure your incident response plan accounts for potential exploitation of CVE-2011-3544. Document patching status and maintain evidence of remediation for compliance and audit purposes.
Technical Details
CVE-2011-3544 is a critical-severity vulnerability affecting Oracle Java SE JDK and JRE. An access control vulnerability exists in the Applet Rhino Script Engine component of Oracle's Java Runtime Environment allows an attacker to remotely execute arbitrary code.
Attack Vector: The attack vector is NETWORK, meaning the vulnerability can be exploited remotely over the network without requiring the attacker to have local access to the target system. This significantly expands the potential attacker population and makes the vulnerability accessible to remote threat actors.
Attack Complexity: The attack complexity is LOW. Exploitation does not require specialized conditions, race conditions, or extensive preparation — making it accessible to a broad range of attackers including those with limited technical sophistication.
Underlying mechanism: The vulnerability stems from improper access control, where improper access control occurs when software does not properly restrict access to a resource from an unauthorized actor. In the context of Java SE JDK and JRE, this manifests when processing specially crafted input that triggers the underlying memory corruption or logic flaw, allowing the attacker to achieve code execution or other malicious outcomes.
Affected products: Jdk (< 1.6.0; 1.6.0; 1.7.0), Jre (< 1.6.0; 1.6.0; 1.7.0), Ubuntu Linux (10.04; 10.10; 11.04; 11.10), Satellite With Embedded Oracle (5.4), Linux Enterprise Java (10), Linux Enterprise Server (10). Organizations should cross-reference their deployed versions against this list to assess their exposure to this vulnerability.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CVE-2011-3544?
CVE-2011-3544 is a critical-severity vulnerability (CVSS 9.8) affecting Oracle Java SE JDK and JRE. An access control vulnerability exists in the Applet Rhino Script Engine component of Oracle's Java Runtime Environment allows an attacker to remotely execute arbitrary code. It is listed in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, confirming active exploitation in the wild.
Which products are affected by CVE-2011-3544?
The vulnerability affects Oracle products including Jdk, Jre. Affected versions include < 1.6.0; 1.6.0; 1.7.0. Organizations should consult the vendor's security advisory for the complete list of affected versions and available patches.
How do I fix CVE-2011-3544?
Apply updates per vendor instructions. Refer to the official vendor security advisory for specific patch downloads and deployment instructions. If immediate patching is not possible, implement interim mitigations such as restricting access to the vulnerable component, enabling enhanced monitoring, and educating users about potential attack vectors. Verify remediation effectiveness with post-patch vulnerability scanning.
How severe is CVE-2011-3544?
CVE-2011-3544 is rated CRITICAL with a CVSS 3.1 score of 9.8. Its EPSS score of 0.92804 places it in the 99.76th percentile for exploitation likelihood, meaning it is more likely to be exploited than 99.8% of all known vulnerabilities. The KEV remediation deadline was 2022-03-24, and the vulnerability's confirmed active exploitation makes it a high-priority remediation target. Organizations should treat patching as urgent regardless of whether they believe they are currently targeted.
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