CVE-2012-4681
Oracle Java SE Runtime Environment (JRE) Arbitrary Code Execution Vulnerability
- Critical 9.8
- Exploited: added to CISA KEV 3 Mar 2022
- Used in ransomware campaigns
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.
Key facts
- Published
- 28 Aug 2012
- Last changed
- 6 Aug 2026
- Assigned by
- mitre
- KEV added
- 3 Mar 2022
- KEV fix due
- 24 Mar 2022
- Used in ransomware
- Yes, according to CISA
- EPSS
- 98.536% likely to be exploited in the next 30 days, higher than 99.922% of CVEs (scores for 15 Nov 2026)
- SSVC (CISA)
- Exploitation: active; Automatable: yes; Technical impact: total
Severity scores
Each score is shown as its source gave it. They are not averaged or merged.
- 9.8CVSS 3.1, Criticalfrom CISA (ADP container)
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
What to do
- Apply updates per vendor instructions.CISA KEV required action
Historical context and remediation
This reference retains the original CVE publication date. A recent record update does not mean a new attack occurred.
No separately sourced impact summary is available on this page yet. Consult the description, version data and dated exploitation evidence.
Version statuses below come from the CNA. An “unaffected” version is not necessarily a currently supported release or proof of a patch date. EPSS is a dated risk estimate, not a count of historical attacks.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Versions |
|---|---|---|
| n/a | n/a |
|
Timeline
- 28 Aug 2012 Published
- 3 Mar 2022 Added to the CISA KEV catalogue