42 Java Holes Fixed By Oracle in April 2013 Critical Patch Update (CPU) Advisory
The Oracle Corporation has released what it called a critical patch update for its Web-based Java programming language. Java SE software that fixes at least 42 security flaws in the widely-installed program and associated browser plugin. The Java update also introduces new features designed to alert users about the security risks of running certain Java content. The April patch, which targets 42 vulnerabilities, 19 of which have a severity rating of 10 (highest possible threat level) includes a majority of vulnerabilities that are currently being exploited. Among those 42 new security fixes across Java SE products of which 2 are applicable to server deployments of Java. According to Oracle, “39 of these vulnerabilities may be remotely exploitable without authentication, i.e., may be exploited over a network without the need for a username and password.” Along with the fixes, Oracle changed the default setting of Java SE. Java applets will no longer run in a Web browser unless they have been digitally signed until a warning prompt is acknowledged. It has also extended how users will be alerted of other Java-related security issues. According to renowned security expert and blogger Brian Krebs - Java 7 Update 21 also introduces some new security warnings and message prompts for users who keep the program plugged into a Web browser (on installation and updating, Java adds itself as an active browser plugin). Oracle said the messages that will be presented depend upon different risk factors, such as using old versions of Java or running applet code that is not signed from a trusted Certificate Authority. Apps that present a lower risk display a simple informational message. This includes an option to prevent showing similar messages for apps from the same publisher in the future. Java applications considered to be higher risk — such as those that use an untrusted or expired certificate — will be accompanied by a prompt with a yellow exclamation point in a yellow warning triangle.
Affected Product Releases and Versions:-
| Java SE | Patch Availability |
|---|---|
| JDK and JRE 7 Update 17 and earlier | Java SE |
| JDK and JRE 6 Update 43 and earlier | Java SE |
| JDK and JRE 5.0 Update 41 and earlier | Java SE |
| JavaFX 2.2.7 and earlier | JavaFX |
Due to the threat posed by a successful attack, Oracle strongly recommends that customers apply CPU fixes as soon as possible. As Java has been run by millions of devices and users across the globe, so we urge all of our readers to install and apply the security fixes to avoid any kind of threats. Note that - Oracle said that this week's security updates don't take care of all known flaws, they do address all known vulnerabilities currently being exploited in the wild.