CVE-2012-4681

KEVRansomware UseOracle Java SE Runtime Environment (JRE) Arbitrary Code Execution Vulnerability

Description

The Java Runtime Environment (JRE) component in Oracle Java SE allow for remote code execution.

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.

CVSS 3.1 vectorCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

PublishedAug 28, 2012

Last modifiedAug 6, 2026

Added to KEVMar 3, 2022

Remediation dueMar 24, 2022

References

blog.fireeye.com/research/2012/08/zero-day-season-is-not-over-yet.htmlThird Party Advisory
immunityproducts.blogspot.com/2012/08/java-0day-analysis-cve-2012-4681.htmlExploitThird Party Advisory
labs.alienvault.com/labs/index.php/2012/new-java-0day-exploited-in-the-wild/Broken LinkExploit
lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2012-09/msg00032.htmlMailing List
lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2012-10/msg00016.htmlMailing List
marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=135109152819176&w=2Issue TrackingMailing List
rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2012-1225.htmlThird Party Advisory
secunia.com/advisories/51044Not Applicable
deependresearch.org/2012/08/java-7-vulnerability-analysis.htmlBroken LinkThird Party Advisory
oracle.com/technetwork/topics/security/alert-cve-2012-4681-1835715.htmlVendor Advisory
securityfocus.com/bid/55213Broken LinkThird Party Advisory
us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA12-240A.htmlThird Party AdvisoryUS Government Resource

0 recent articles mention this CVE

Risk assessment · Critical

Actively exploited and used by ransomware crews. Patch immediately.

Exploitation: Confirmed in the wild (CISA KEV)
Federal remediation deadline: Overdue by 1678 days
Ransomware: Used in known ransomware campaigns
CVSS: 9.8 CRITICAL
EPSS (30-day exploit probability): 98.5% · top 1% of all CVEs
Weakness: NVD-CWE-Other
Attack vector: Network, remotely reachable
Preconditions: No privileges and no user interaction

Recommended actions

1.Apply updates per vendor instructions.
2.Treat as emergency change: patch or isolate internet-facing instances first.
3.Review exposure: confirm which instances are reachable from the internet and restrict access until patched.
4.Hunt for compromise: review logs for the disclosure window, not just from the patch date.
5.Verify offline/immutable backups and segment the affected systems. This flaw is used for ransomware initial access.

Assessment is derived automatically from the live signals above; verify against your own asset inventory.