# CVE-2011-3544: Oracle Java SE Runtime Environment (JRE) Arbitrary Code Execution

> Remote attackers can bypass security restrictions in Java Web Start and applets to execute arbitrary code or escalate privileges.

- **Severity:** Critical 9.8 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Yes, since 3 Mar 2022 (CISA KEV)
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 19 Oct 2011
- **Updated:** 22 Oct 2025
- **Also known as:** GHSA-25jq-3vh4-pgv4

## What is CVE-2011-3544?

CVE-2011-3544 is a critical vulnerability in Canonical Ubuntu Linux, published on 19 Oct 2011. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

Unspecified vulnerability in the Java Runtime Environment component in Oracle Java SE JDK and JRE 7 and 6 Update 27 and earlier allows remote untrusted Java Web Start applications and untrusted Java applets to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability via unknown vectors related to Scripting.

Weakness: CWE-284 (Improper Access Control)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2011-3544?

It affects 6 products.


Products: Canonical Ubuntu Linux, Oracle Jdk, Oracle Jre, Redhat Satellite With Embedded Oracle, Suse Linux Enterprise Java, Suse Linux Enterprise Server.

## How do I fix CVE-2011-3544?

Apply the vendor's patch. US federal agencies must fix it by 24 Mar 2022.

## Is CVE-2011-3544 being exploited?

Yes. Attackers have exploited CVE-2011-3544 in the wild since at least 3 Mar 2022.

Public exploit code:

- Java Applet Rhino Script Engine Remote Code Execution (metasploit)
- Java Applet Rhino Script Engine - Remote Code Execution (Metasploit) (exploitdb)

## Other vulnerabilities in Canonical Ubuntu Linux

- [CVE-2020-11651](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-11651/): SaltStack Salt Authentication Bypass (critical 9.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2020-7247](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-7247/): OpenSMTPD Remote Code Execution (critical 9.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2019-16928](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2019-16928/): Exim Out-of-bounds Write (critical 9.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2018-6789](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2018-6789/): Exim Buffer Overflow (critical 9.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2015-2590](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2015-2590/): Oracle Java SE and Java SE Embedded Remote Code Execution (critical 9.8, exploited in the wild)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2011-3544 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2011-3544 is a critical vulnerability in Canonical Ubuntu Linux, published on 19 Oct 2011. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: Yes. Attackers have exploited CVE-2011-3544 in the wild since at least 3 Mar 2022.

Affected product: Canonical Ubuntu Linux. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2011-3544/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2011-3544/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2011-3544
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2011-3544
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2011-3544

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2011-3544/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.