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CVE-2012-4681 — Multiple vulnerabilities in the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) component in Oracle Java…

Key facts

CVE-2012-4681 is a Critical (9.8) vulnerability: Multiple vulnerabilities in the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) component in Oracle Java…. This entry ships a detection-only PoC and a Docker test lab. It is on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog (added 2022-03-03), confirming active exploitation in the wild, and is linked to known ransomware campaigns.

Actively exploited — on the CISA KEV catalog

CVE-2012-4681 is listed on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog (added 2022-03-03), confirming exploitation in the wild. It is linked to known ransomware campaigns. Federal remediation deadline: 2022-03-24. Prioritise patching and deploy the detection and prevention rules below.
CVE CVE-2012-4681
Severity Critical (9.8)
CISA KEV Actively exploited (added 2022-03-03) · ransomware
Detection / prevention —
PoC poc.py
Source 2012/CVE-2012-4681/

Details

English | 한국어

Description

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.

Vulnerability Details

Property Value
CVE ID CVE-2012-4681
CVSS Score 9.8

Proof of Concept

Download

# Download PoC script
curl -O https://raw.githubusercontent.com/fankh/vulnerability-poc/main/2012/CVE-2012-4681/poc.py

Usage

# Run PoC against target
python3 poc.py --target <TARGET_URL>

# With authentication
python3 poc.py --target <TARGET_URL> --username <USER> --password <PASS>

⚠️ Warning: This PoC is for authorized security testing only. It uses detection-only techniques and does not exploit or damage target systems.

Test Lab

This repository includes a Docker-based test environment with both vulnerable and patched applications.

Quick Start

# Clone and navigate to CVE directory
cd CVE-2012-4681

# Start both applications
docker-compose up -d

# Run tests
./run-tests.sh    # Linux/Mac
./run-tests.ps1   # Windows PowerShell

Application Endpoints

Application URL Status
Vulnerable App http://localhost:8080 Shows vulnerability
Patched App http://localhost:8081 Demonstrates fix

Directory Structure

├── README.md           # English documentation
├── README_KO.md        # Korean documentation
├── poc.py              # PoC detection script
├── docker-compose.yml  # Container orchestration
├── run-tests.sh        # Linux/Mac test runner
├── run-tests.ps1       # Windows test runner
├── vulnerable-app/     # Vulnerable version
│   ├── app.py
│   ├── Dockerfile
│   └── requirements.txt
└── patched-app/        # Fixed version
    ├── app.py
    ├── Dockerfile
    └── requirements.txt

References

  • http://blog.fireeye.com/research/2012/08/zero-day-season-is-not-over-yet.html
  • http://immunityproducts.blogspot.com/2012/08/java-0day-analysis-cve-2012-4681.html
  • http://labs.alienvault.com/labs/index.php/2012/new-java-0day-exploited-in-the-wild/
  • http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2012-09/msg00032.html
  • http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2012-10/msg00016.html
  • http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=135109152819176&w=2
  • http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2012-1225.html
  • http://secunia.com/advisories/51044
  • http://www.deependresearch.org/2012/08/java-7-vulnerability-analysis.html
  • http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/topics/security/alert-cve-2012-4681-1835715.html
  • http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/55213
  • http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA12-240A.html
  • https://community.rapid7.com/community/metasploit/blog/2012/08/27/lets-start-the-week-with-a-new-java-0day
  • http://blog.fireeye.com/research/2012/08/zero-day-season-is-not-over-yet.html
  • http://immunityproducts.blogspot.com/2012/08/java-0day-analysis-cve-2012-4681.html
  • http://labs.alienvault.com/labs/index.php/2012/new-java-0day-exploited-in-the-wild/
  • http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2012-09/msg00032.html
  • http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2012-10/msg00016.html
  • http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=135109152819176&w=2
  • http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2012-1225.html
  • http://secunia.com/advisories/51044
  • http://www.deependresearch.org/2012/08/java-7-vulnerability-analysis.html
  • http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/topics/security/alert-cve-2012-4681-1835715.html
  • http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/55213
  • http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA12-240A.html
  • https://community.rapid7.com/community/metasploit/blog/2012/08/27/lets-start-the-week-with-a-new-java-0day
  • https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2012-4681

Generated by PoC Generator on 2026-07-05T06:23:27.380099957

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2012-4681?

CVE-2012-4681 is a Critical (9.8) vulnerability: Multiple vulnerabilities in the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) component in Oracle Java…. This entry ships a detection-only PoC and a Docker test lab. It is on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog (added 2022-03-03), confirming active exploitation in the wild, and is linked to known ransomware campaigns.

How do I detect CVE-2012-4681?

Run the detection-only PoC included with this entry against your Docker test lab to confirm whether a target is affected; pair it with your own IDS logging.

How do I block or mitigate CVE-2012-4681?

Upgrade to a fixed version per the vendor advisory; the NVD record lists the affected versions. Use the included PoC to verify your remediation.

Is CVE-2012-4681 actively exploited?

Yes. CVE-2012-4681 is on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, added 2022-03-03, which means it has been exploited in the wild. CISA also links it to known ransomware campaigns. CISA set a federal remediation deadline of 2022-03-24. Prioritise patching and deploy the detection and prevention rules above.

For authorized security testing and research only. See the full source and NVD record.