-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA1

===========================================================================
             AUSCERT External Security Bulletin Redistribution

                    ESB-2006.0107 -- [Win][UNIX/Linux]
           Privilege escalation vulnerability in Java Web Start
                              9 February 2006

===========================================================================

        AusCERT Security Bulletin Summary
        ---------------------------------

Product:           Sun Java Runtime Environment (JRE) 5.0 update 5 and prior
                   Sun Java Development Kit (JDK) 5.0 update 5 and prior
Publisher:         Sun Microsystems
Operating System:  Windows
                   UNIX variants (UNIX, Linux, OSX)
Impact:            Increased Privileges
Access:            Remote/Unauthenticated

Original Bulletin: 
  http://sunsolve.sun.com/search/printfriendly.do?assetkey=1-26-102170-1

- --------------------------BEGIN INCLUDED TEXT--------------------

Sun(sm) Alert Notification
     * Sun Alert ID: 102170
     * Synopsis: Security Vulnerability With Java Web Start
     * Category: Security
     * Product: Java 2 Platform, Standard Edition
     * BugIDs: 6339699
     * Avoidance: Upgrade
     * State: Resolved
     * Date Released: 07-Feb-2006
     * Date Closed: 07-Feb-2006
     * Date Modified: 

1. Impact

   A vulnerability in Java Web Start may allow an untrusted application
   to elevate its privileges. For example an application may grant itself
   permissions to read and write local files that are accessible to the
   user running the Java Web Start application.

   Sun acknowledges, with thanks, Peter Csepely, for bringing this issue
   to our attention.

2. Contributing Factors

   This issue can occur in the following releases:
     * Java Web Start in Java 2 Platform Standard Edition (J2SE) 5.0
       Update 5 and earlier 5.0 releases for Windows, Solaris and Linux

   Note: Java Web Start in SDK and JRE 1.4.x and earlier, and Java Web
   Start 1.0.1_02 and earlier are not affected by this issue.

   To determine the version of Java on a system, the following command
   can be run:
    % java -fullversion
    java full version "1.5.0_02-b09"


3. Symptoms

   There are no reliable symptoms that would indicate the described issue
   has been exploited. 

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/1.5.0/docs/guide/javaws/developersguid
       e/overview.html#jws

   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\j2re1.5.0\javaws\javaws.exe

   Solaris (if installed using pkg):
    /usr/bin/javaws

   Linux (if installed using rpm):
    /usr/java/jre1.5.0/bin/javaws


5. Resolution

   This issue is addressed in the following releases:
     * Java Web Start in Java 2 Platform Standard Edition (J2SE) 5.0
       Update 6 and later for Windows, Solaris, and Linux

   J2SE 5.0 is available for download at the following links:
     * http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.5.0/download.jsp
     * http://java.com

   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 to purchase services from Sun, or, if you do not have
   such an agreement, the Sun.com Terms of Use. This Sun Alert
   notification may only be used for the purposes contemplated by these
   agreements.

   Copyright 2000-2005 Sun Microsystems, Inc., 4150 Network Circle, Santa
   Clara, CA 95054 U.S.A. All rights reserved

- --------------------------END INCLUDED TEXT--------------------

You have received this e-mail bulletin as a result of your organisation's
registration with AusCERT. The mailing list you are subscribed to is
maintained within your organisation, so if you do not wish to continue
receiving these bulletins you should contact your local IT manager. If
you do not know who that is, please send an email to auscert@auscert.org.au
and we will forward your request to the appropriate person.

NOTE: Third Party Rights
This security bulletin is provided as a service to AusCERT's members.  As
AusCERT did not write the document quoted above, AusCERT has had no control
over its content. The decision to follow or act on information or advice
contained in this security bulletin is the responsibility of each user or
organisation, and should be considered in accordance with your organisation's
site policies and procedures. AusCERT takes no responsibility for consequences
which may arise from following or acting on information or advice contained in
this security bulletin.

NOTE: This is only the original release of the security bulletin.  It may
not be updated when updates to the original are made.  If downloading at
a later date, it is recommended that the bulletin is retrieved directly
from the author's website to ensure that the information is still current.

Contact information for the authors of the original document is included
in the Security Bulletin above.  If you have any questions or need further
information, please contact them directly.

Previous advisories and external security bulletins can be retrieved from:

        http://www.auscert.org.au/render.html?cid=1980

If you believe that your computer system has been compromised or attacked in 
any way, we encourage you to let us know by completing the secure National IT 
Incident Reporting Form at:

        http://www.auscert.org.au/render.html?it=3192

===========================================================================
Australian Computer Emergency Response Team
The University of Queensland
Brisbane
Qld 4072

Internet Email: auscert@auscert.org.au
Facsimile:      (07) 3365 7031
Telephone:      (07) 3365 4417 (International: +61 7 3365 4417)
                AusCERT personnel answer during Queensland business hours
                which are GMT+10:00 (AEST).
                On call after hours for member emergencies only.
===========================================================================

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-----
Comment: http://www.auscert.org.au/render.html?it=1967

iQCVAwUBQ+qOACh9+71yA2DNAQI+8QP+NEBiHsUs0HwK0F2I/SR8gFn8tBvCJoIx
j+AoPzc8InHQAPZYS215k9S81Jy8UimPXQhiEUAevzdYkMAjlFydfLcw1nIUDsue
FuW0mIZrGNf+zgBEoLiuJDhZnWOe4h08e7Vv0O6jhAkutiHqrFktdhkktGEcLhkb
F/miFnUN954=
=jpdd
-----END PGP SIGNATURE-----