CVE-2012-4681
CVE-2012-4681 is a security flaw in Oracle Java SE, which runs apps on computers and servers. Attackers can run their own code on Oracle Java SE. The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) added it to its catalog of flaws known to be used in attacks on 3 Mar 2022, and says ransomware gangs have used it.[1]
Oracle Java SE is in things households have, such as phones, computers, browsers and everyday apps, so the fix matters at home as much as at work.
Description
CISA calls it a runtime environment (JRE) arbitrary code execution in Oracle Java SE. In its words: “The Java Runtime Environment (JRE) component in Oracle Java SE allow for remote code execution.”[1]
The CVE record adds: “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.”[2]
The underlying weakness is improper access control (CWE-284), in MITRE’s list of common software weaknesses.
It scores 9.8 out of 10 on the Common Vulnerability Scoring System, which rates it critical, scored by NVD using CVSS 3.1.[2]
Affected versions
NVD’s record doesn’t list version ranges for it. CISA names the product as Oracle Java SE.
Every device with Oracle Java SE needs the update.
Exploitation
CISA added it to its catalog of known exploited vulnerabilities on 3 Mar 2022, 3,474 days after it was made public. CISA lists a flaw only when it has reliable evidence of it being exploited, and gave US federal agencies until 24 Mar 2022 to fix it.[1] CISA says ransomware gangs have used it.
FIRST’s Exploit Prediction Scoring System, which estimates how likely a flaw is to be used in attacks in the next 30 days from what it sees across the internet, puts it at 99%. That’s in the top 1% of the flaws it scores.[3]
CISA assesses it as automatable: attackers can run it against many targets at once.
CISA doesn’t say who was attacked, or how.
Fix
CISA’s required action: “Apply updates per vendor instructions.”[1]
- Update Oracle Java SE now.Install the latest update from Oracle on every device that has it, and restart when asked. Then turn on automatic updates, so the next fix arrives on its own.
- If there’s no update, stop using it.CISA’s advice when a flaw being used in attacks has no fix is to stop using the product until it does.
Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| The flaw is made public in the National Vulnerability Database, with a severity score of 9.8.[2] | |
| CISA adds it to its catalog of flaws known to be used in attacks, noting that ransomware gangs have used it.[1] | |
| CISA’s deadline for US government agencies to fix it.[1] | |
| FIRST puts the odds of it being used in attacks in the next 30 days at 99%.[3] |
See also
Other Oracle Java SE flaws
- CVE-2013-2465: unspecified ·
- CVE-2012-5076: sandbox bypass ·
- CVE-2015-4902: integrity check ·
- CVE-2015-2590: and java SE embedded remote code execution ·
- CVE-2012-1723: runtime environment (JRE) arbitrary code execution ·
- CVE-2012-0507: runtime environment (JRE) arbitrary code execution ·
Other Oracle flaws
- CVE-2026-21962, Oracle HTTP Server and Oracle Weblogic Server Proxy Plug-in: improper access control ·
- CVE-2026-46817, Oracle E-Business Suite: improper privilege management ·
- CVE-2026-35273, Oracle PeopleSoft Enterprise PeopleTools: missing authentication for critical function ·
- CVE-2024-21182, Oracle WebLogic Server: unspecified ·
- CVE-2025-61757, Oracle Fusion Middleware: missing authentication for critical function ·
Other improper access control flaws
- CVE-2015-3306, ProFTPD: improper access control ·
- CVE-2026-56290, Joomlack Page Builder: improper access control ·
- CVE-2026-34908, Ubiquiti UniFi OS: improper access control ·
- CVE-2026-48907, Widget Factory Joomla Content Editor: improper access control ·
- CVE-2026-35616, Fortinet FortiClient EMS: improper access control ·
Added the same day
- CVE-2022-20708, Cisco Small Business RV160, RV260, RV340, and RV345 Series Routers: small business RV series routers stack-based buffer overflow ·
- CVE-2022-20703, Cisco Small Business RV160, RV260, RV340, and RV345 Series Routers: small business RV series routers stack-based buffer overflow ·
- CVE-2022-20701, Cisco Small Business RV160, RV260, RV340, and RV345 Series Routers: small business RV series routers stack-based buffer overflow ·
- CVE-2022-20700, Cisco Small Business RV160, RV260, RV340, and RV345 Series Routers: small business RV series routers stack-based buffer overflow ·
- CVE-2022-20699, Cisco Small Business RV160, RV260, RV340, and RV345 Series Routers: small business RV series routers stack-based buffer overflow ·
Every Oracle flaw on CISA’s list · Everything added in March 2022
References
- ^ Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. “Oracle Java SE Runtime Environment (JRE) Arbitrary Code Execution Vulnerability”. Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog, added 3 Mar 2022.
- ^ National Institute of Standards and Technology. “CVE-2012-4681 Detail”. National Vulnerability Database, published 28 Aug 2012.
- ^ FIRST. “Exploit Prediction Scoring System”. EPSS 0.985, percentile 99.9, 31 Oct 2026.
- CVE Program. “CVE-2012-4681”. The official CVE record.
This article is built from CISA’s catalog (version 2026.10.30), NVD’s record and FIRST’s scores, kept in HARD’s database and checked every morning. The plain English is HARD’s.