CVE-2013-0431
CVE-2013-0431 is a security flaw in Oracle Java Runtime Environment (JRE), which runs apps on computers and servers. Attackers are using a flaw in Oracle Java Runtime Environment (JRE) that its maker hasn't described in detail. The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) added it to its catalog of flaws known to be used in attacks on 25 May 2022, and says ransomware gangs have used it.[1]
Oracle Java Runtime Environment (JRE) 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 JRE sandbox bypass in Oracle Java Runtime Environment (JRE). In its words: “Unspecified vulnerability in the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) component in Oracle allows remote attackers to bypass the Java security sandbox.”[1]
The CVE record adds: “Unspecified vulnerability in the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) component in Oracle Java SE 7 through Update 11, and OpenJDK 7, allows user-assisted remote attackers to bypass the Java security sandbox via unspecified vectors related to JMX, aka "Issue 52," a different vulnerability than CVE-2013-1490.”[2]
The underlying weakness is protection mechanism failure (CWE-693), in MITRE’s list of common software weaknesses.
It scores 3.7 out of 10 on the Common Vulnerability Scoring System, which rates it low, scored by the organisation that published the CVE using CVSS 3.1.[2]
Affected versions
NVD’s record doesn’t list version ranges for it. CISA names the product as Oracle Java Runtime Environment (JRE).
Every device with Oracle Java Runtime Environment (JRE) needs the update.
Exploitation
CISA added it to its catalog of known exploited vulnerabilities on 25 May 2022, 3,401 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 15 Jun 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 90%. That’s in the top 1% of the flaws it scores.[3]
CISA assesses it as not automatable: each attack takes some work.
CISA doesn’t say who was attacked, or how.
Fix
CISA’s required action: “Apply updates per vendor instructions.”[1]
- Update Oracle Java Runtime Environment (JRE) 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 3.7.[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 90%.[3] |
See also
Other Oracle Java Runtime Environment (JRE) flaws
- CVE-2013-2423: JRE unspecified ·
- CVE-2013-0422: JRE remote code execution ·
- CVE-2010-0840: JRE unspecified ·
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 protection mechanism failure flaws
- CVE-2026-58704, Google Pixel: improper authorization ·
- CVE-2026-32202, Microsoft Windows: protection mechanism failure ·
- CVE-2025-40536, SolarWinds Web Help Desk: security control bypass ·
- CVE-2026-21513, Microsoft Windows: MSHTML framework protection mechanism failure ·
- CVE-2026-21510, Microsoft Windows: shell protection mechanism failure ·
Added the same day
- CVE-2019-3010, Oracle Solaris: privilege escalation ·
- CVE-2016-7256, Microsoft Windows: open type font remote code execution ·
- CVE-2016-3393, Microsoft Windows: graphics device interface (GDI) remote code execution ·
- CVE-2016-1010, Adobe Flash Player and AIR: integer overflow ·
- CVE-2016-0984, Adobe Flash Player and AIR: use-after-free ·
Every Oracle flaw on CISA’s list · Everything added in May 2022
References
- ^ Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. “Oracle JRE Sandbox Bypass Vulnerability”. Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog, added 25 May 2022.
- ^ National Institute of Standards and Technology. “CVE-2013-0431 Detail”. National Vulnerability Database, published 31 Jan 2013.
- ^ FIRST. “Exploit Prediction Scoring System”. EPSS 0.901, percentile 99.8, 31 Oct 2026.
- CVE Program. “CVE-2013-0431”. 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.