Java
CVE-2012-4681
CRITICAL
Vulnerability Assessment
| Weakness |
CWE
OWASP Top 10:2025
A01:2021 - Broken Access Control
ASVS 5.0
V4 - Access Control Authorization enforcement, RBAC validation
MITRE ATT&CK
1 technique across 1 tactic: Defense Evasion The technique list with ATT&CK links and the kill-chain view is part of the Basic plan and up. |
| Impact | Critical risk (CVSS 9.8, EPSS 94.1%). This became one of the most exploited vulnerabilities in 2012-2013. Every major exploit kit (Blackhole, Nuclear, Angler) incorporated it within days of disclosure. Drive-by download campaigns compromised millions of systems. |
| Exploit ScenarioDerived | Exploit kits on compromised websites detected visitors with vulnerable Java plugins and automatically served the exploit. The malicious applet escaped the sandbox, downloaded and executed ransomware, banking trojans, or botnet malware without any user interaction beyond visiting the page. |
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Alert meAnalysisAIv1 – Mar 26, 2026
Oracle Java SE 7 Update 6 and earlier contains multiple sandbox bypass vulnerabilities via the ClassFinder and forName methods, enabling complete sandbox escape for untrusted applets. Massively exploited by exploit kits in 2012.
Earlier versions of this analysis (1)
Multiple vulnerabilities in Oracle Java SE 7 allow untrusted applets to completely bypass the security sandbox by abusing ClassFinder.findClass and leveraging exception handling with forName to access restricted classes.
RemediationAI
Java browser plugins are deprecated and should be removed. Update to latest Java version if JRE is required for desktop applications. Disable Java in web browsers via Java Control Panel.
Affects your stack
Find out whether the stacks and servers you run are on an affected version.
Checking this CVE against your own stacks and servers is part of the Basic plan and up.
Technical ContextAI · show details
The CWE-284 sandbox bypass chains two flaws: (1) com.sun.beans.finder.ClassFinder.findClass allows access to restricted classes, and (2) exception handling during forName() leaks class references that should be inaccessible. Together, these allow full SecurityManager bypass from unsigned applets.
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- Exploit and PoC references, threat intelligence from 22 sources
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Severity by source
AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Primary rating from NVD · only source for this CVE.
CVSS VectorNVD
Lifecycle Timeline
3DescriptionNVD
Multiple vulnerabilities in the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) component in Oracle Java SE 7 Update 6 and earlier allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted applet that bypasses SecurityManager restrictions by (1) using com.sun.beans.finder.ClassFinder.findClass and leveraging an exception with the forName method to access restricted classes from arbitrary packages such as sun.awt.SunToolkit, then (2) using "reflection with a trusted immediate caller" to leverage the getField method to access and modify private fields, as exploited in the wild in August 2012 using Gondzz.class and Gondvv.class.
Executive ViewAI
CVE-2012-4681 presents critical security risk, a improper access control vulnerability rated CVSS 9.8. Successful exploitation could critically impact the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of affected systems. This vulnerability is actively exploited in the wild (KEV-listed) and requires immediate remediation. Immediate patching is required per CISA KEV mandate.
Apply vendor patch. If immediate patching is not feasible: (1) Restrict access to affected endpoints; (2) Implement additional authorization checks; (3) Enable audit logging.
Threat Intelligence Overview
NVD
CVE.org
CISA KEV
EPSS
Exploit-DB
VulDB
How this decision was reached
The engine reads each signal below and applies a fixed list of rules from top to bottom. The first rule that matches sets the recommended action – like a statement, every line is shown.
What every action level means
SSVC AssessmentENISA
Priority Score
Attack Technique
Authentication bypass attacks exploit flaws in the verification mechanisms that control access to systems and applications.
Remote Code Execution represents the critical moment when an attacker successfully runs arbitrary code on a target system without physical access.
Affected Products (CPE)NVD
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Java Runtime Environment sandbox bypass via incorrect image channel verification in 2D component allows remote unauthent
Oracle Java SE JDK/JRE 7 and 6 Update 27 and earlier allows remote code execution with complete system compromise throug
JBoss Seam 2 in Red Hat JBoss EAP 4.3.0 fails to sanitize JBoss Expression Language inputs, allowing remote attackers to
Unspecified vulnerability in the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) component in Oracle Java SE 7 update 4 and earlier, 6 up
Multiple vulnerabilities in Oracle Java 7 before Update 11 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by (1) using
Unspecified vulnerability in the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) component in Oracle Java SE 7 Update 2 and earlier, 6 Up
The WLS Security component in Oracle WebLogic Server 10.3.6.0, 12.1.2.0, 12.1.3.0, and 12.2.1.0 allows remote attackers
Unspecified vulnerability in the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) component in Oracle Java SE 7 Update 7 and earlier allow
Remote unauthenticated attackers can execute arbitrary code on Adobe ColdFusion servers through Java deserialization fla
The ExceptionDelegator component in Apache Struts before 2.2.3.1 interprets parameter values as OGNL expressions during
Spring Data Commons, versions prior to 1.13 to 1.13.10, 2.0 to 2.0.5, and older unsupported versions, contain a property
GitHub PoC