CVE-2012-4681

Name: CVE-2012-4681
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2012-08-28T00:55:01.86+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

CRITICALCVSS 9.8/10Actively ExploitedEPSS 98.54%

Last modified Jun 16, 2026

CVE-2012-4681 is a critical-severity vulnerability rated 9.8/10 on the CVSS scale. 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.. CISA has confirmed active exploitation in the wild. EPSS estimates a 98.54% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

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.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

9.8/10

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

EPSS Probability

98.54%

99.9th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Exploitation Status

This vulnerability is listed in CISA’s Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, confirming active exploitation in the wild. Federal agencies must remediate by Mar 24, 2022.

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-284

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Oracle	Jdk	1.6.0
Oracle	Jdk	1.7.0
Oracle	Jre	1.6.0
Oracle	Jre	1.7.0
Redhat	Enterprise Linux Desktop	6.0
Redhat	Enterprise Linux Eus	6.3
Redhat	Enterprise Linux Server	6.0
Redhat	Enterprise Linux Workstation	6.0

References

http://blog.fireeye.com/research/2012/08/zero-day-season-is-not-over-yet.htmlThird Party Advisory
http://immunityproducts.blogspot.com/2012/08/java-0day-analysis-cve-2012-4681.htmlExploit, Third Party Advisory
http://labs.alienvault.com/labs/index.php/2012/new-java-0day-exploited-in-the-wild/Broken Link, Exploit
http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2012-09/msg00032.htmlMailing List
http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2012-10/msg00016.htmlMailing List
http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=135109152819176&w=2Issue Tracking, Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2012-1225.htmlThird Party Advisory
http://secunia.com/advisories/51044Not Applicable
http://www.deependresearch.org/2012/08/java-7-vulnerability-analysis.htmlBroken Link, Third Party Advisory
http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/topics/security/alert-cve-2012-4681-1835715.htmlVendor Advisory
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/55213Broken Link, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA12-240A.htmlThird Party Advisory, US Government Resource
https://community.rapid7.com/community/metasploit/blog/2012/08/27/lets-start-the-week-with-a-new-java-0dayBroken Link, Third Party Advisory
http://blog.fireeye.com/research/2012/08/zero-day-season-is-not-over-yet.htmlThird Party Advisory
http://immunityproducts.blogspot.com/2012/08/java-0day-analysis-cve-2012-4681.htmlExploit, Third Party Advisory
http://labs.alienvault.com/labs/index.php/2012/new-java-0day-exploited-in-the-wild/Broken Link, Exploit
http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2012-09/msg00032.htmlMailing List
http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2012-10/msg00016.htmlMailing List
http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=135109152819176&w=2Issue Tracking, Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2012-1225.htmlThird Party Advisory
http://secunia.com/advisories/51044Not Applicable
http://www.deependresearch.org/2012/08/java-7-vulnerability-analysis.htmlBroken Link, Third Party Advisory
http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/topics/security/alert-cve-2012-4681-1835715.htmlVendor Advisory
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/55213Broken Link, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA12-240A.htmlThird Party Advisory, US Government Resource
https://community.rapid7.com/community/metasploit/blog/2012/08/27/lets-start-the-week-with-a-new-java-0dayBroken Link, Third Party Advisory
https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2012-4681US Government Resource

Timeline

Published: Aug 28, 2012
Last Modified: Jun 16, 2026
Status: Analyzed

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2012-4681?

How severe is CVE-2012-4681?

CVE-2012-4681 has a CVSS score of 9.8/10 (CRITICAL severity). The EPSS model estimates a 98.54% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. This vulnerability is listed in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.

How do I fix CVE-2012-4681?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

Are you affected by CVE-2012-4681?

Run a free Strix scan to check your systems for this vulnerability.

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST