CVE-2012-4681
CriticalExploitedPublic exploitOpenJDK: beans insufficient permission checks, Java 7 0day (beans, 7162473)
Published Aug 27, 2012 · Updated Aug 6, 2026
Key Facts
Patch immediately- CVE-2012-4681 is a critical-severity vulnerability (CVSS 9.8 v3.1) affecting Jdk (Oracle), Jre (Oracle), Enterprise Linux Desktop (Redhat) and 22 more products.
- It is exploited in the wild, listed in CISA KEV, Industry KEV feed, CIRCL KEV, ENISA EUVD since Aug 28, 2012 and is known to be used in ransomware campaigns. Public exploit code is available.
- EPSS estimates a 99% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- Fixed versions are available, including java 1.7.0-oracle-1:1.7.0.7-1jpp.5.el6_3, java-1_7_0-ibm 1.7.0_sr6.0-0.7.1, java-1_7_0-ibm-alsa 1.7.0_sr6.0-0.7.1.
- Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
CVSS v3.1
9.8
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)
99%
Higher than 99.9% of all scored CVEs
Exploited in the wild
Yes
4 catalog listings, used by ransomware
Public exploit code
Available
Proof-of-concept or weaponized module
Get the full CVE-2012-4681 brief as a PDF
Every affected product and fixed release, exploitation status and a first 24 hours response checklist, emailed within minutes.
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.
Known-Exploited Catalog Listings
| Catalog | Added | Remediation due | Ransomware use |
|---|---|---|---|
| CISA KEV | Mar 3, 2022 | Mar 24, 2022 | Known |
| Industry KEV feed | Aug 28, 2012 | Mar 24, 2022 | Known |
| CIRCL KEV | Mar 3, 2022 | Mar 24, 2022 | Known |
| ENISA EUVD | Mar 3, 2022 | n/a | Not reported |
Required action: Apply updates per vendor instructions.
Affected Products
116 affected entries in total| Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| JdkOracle | 1.6.0, 1.6.0-update1, 1.6.0-update10, 1.6.0-update11, 1.6.0-update12, 1.6.0-update13, 1.6.0-update14, 1.6.0-update15 | n/a |
| JreOracle | 1.6.0, 1.6.0-update1, 1.6.0-update10, 1.6.0-update11, 1.6.0-update12, 1.6.0-update13, 1.6.0-update14, 1.6.0-update15 | n/a |
| Enterprise Linux DesktopRedhat | 6.0 | n/a |
| Enterprise Linux EusRedhat | 6.3 | n/a |
| Enterprise Linux ServerRedhat | 6.0 | n/a |
Patched Releases
java
1.7.0-oracle-1:1.7.0.7-1jpp.5.el6_3
java-1_7_0-ibm
1.7.0_sr6.0-0.7.1
java-1_7_0-ibm-alsa
1.7.0_sr6.0-0.7.1
java-1_7_0-ibm-devel
1.7.0_sr7.0-0.5.1
java-1_7_0-ibm-jdbc
1.7.0_sr6.0-0.7.1
java-1_7_0-ibm-plugin
1.7.0_sr6.0-0.7.1
java-1_7_0-openjdk
1.7.0.121-1.1
java-1_7_0-openjdk-accessibility
1.7.0.121-1.1
java-1_7_0-openjdk-bootstrap
1.7.0.121-1.1
java-1_7_0-openjdk-bootstrap-devel
1.7.0.121-1.1
java-1_7_0-openjdk-bootstrap-headless
1.7.0.121-1.1
java-1_7_0-openjdk-demo
1.7.0.121-1.1
java-1_7_0-openjdk-devel
1.7.0.121-1.1
java-1_7_0-openjdk-headless
1.7.0.121-1.1
java-1_7_0-openjdk-javadoc
1.7.0.121-1.1
java-1_7_0-openjdk-src
1.7.0.121-1.1
java-1.7.0-openjdk
1:1.7.0.5-2.2.1.0.1.el6_3.3
java-1.7.0-openjdk-demo
1:1.7.0.5-2.2.1.0.1.el6_3.3
java-1.7.0-openjdk-devel
1:1.7.0.5-2.2.1.0.1.el6_3.3
java-1.7.0-openjdk-javadoc
1:1.7.0.5-2.2.1.0.1.el6_3.3
java-1.7.0-openjdk-src
1:1.7.0.5-2.2.1.0.1.el6_3.3
Timeline
Publicly disclosed
Aug 27, 2012
Added to Industry KEV feed
Aug 28, 2012
Added to CISA KEV
Mar 3, 2022
Added to CIRCL KEV
Mar 3, 2022
Added to ENISA EUVD
Mar 3, 2022
Last updated
Aug 6, 2026
Weakness Type
- CWE-284 Improper Access Control
References
- advisoryhttp://blog.fireeye.com/research/2012/08/zero-day-season-is-not-over-yet.html
- advisorySSRT100970
- advisoryRHSA-2012:1225
- advisoryRHSA-2012:1223
- advisoryRHSA-2012:1225
FAQ
Common Questions.
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…
Affected: Jdk (Oracle) versions 1.6.0, 1.6.0-update1, 1.6.0-update10, 1.6.0-update11, 1.6.0-update12, 1.6.0-update13, 1.6.0-update14, 1.6.0-update15; Jre (Oracle) versions 1.6.0, 1.6.0-update1, 1.6.0-update10, 1.6.0-update11, 1.6.0-update12, 1.6.0-update13, 1.6.0-update14, 1.6.0-update15; Enterprise Linux Desktop (Redhat) versions 6.0, among others. The full list is in the CVE brief.
It is exploited in the wild, listed in CISA KEV, Industry KEV feed, CIRCL KEV, ENISA EUVD since Aug 28, 2012 and is known to be used in ransomware campaigns.
Yes. It was added on Mar 3, 2022 with a federal remediation due date of Mar 24, 2022.
Public exploit code is available.
Fixed versions are available, including java 1.7.0-oracle-1:1.7.0.7-1jpp.5.el6_3, java-1_7_0-ibm 1.7.0_sr6.0-0.7.1, java-1_7_0-ibm-alsa 1.7.0_sr6.0-0.7.1.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
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