# CVE-2013-1488: Code injection in n/a

> Remote attackers can execute arbitrary code via reflection and JDBC driver manager flaws in Java Runtime Environment, requiring user interaction.

- **Severity:** Critical 10.0 (`AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** A user has to click or open something
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 8 Mar 2013
- **Updated:** 6 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-f2f6-qfp8-5hcm

## What is CVE-2013-1488?

CVE-2013-1488 is a critical code injection vulnerability in Oracle Jdk, published on 8 Mar 2013. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.

### Official description

The Java Runtime Environment (JRE) component in Oracle Java SE 7 Update 17 and earlier, and OpenJDK 6 and 7, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors involving reflection, Libraries, "improper toString calls," and the JDBC driver manager, as demonstrated by James Forshaw during a Pwn2Own competition at CanSecWest 2013.

Weakness: CWE-94 (Improper Control of Generation of Code)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2013-1488?

It affects 2 products.


Products: Oracle Jdk, Oracle Jre.

## How do I fix CVE-2013-1488?

Upgrade to a fixed version.

## Is CVE-2013-1488 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2013-1488 exists.

Public exploit code:

- PoC Java exploit based on http://www.contextis.com/research/blog/java-pwn2own/ (github_poc): https://github.com/v-p-b/buherablog-cve-2013-1488
- Java Applet Driver Manager Privileged toString() Remote Code Execution (metasploit)
- Java Applet - Driver Manager Privileged 'toString()' Remote Code Execution (Metasploit) (exploitdb)

## Other vulnerabilities in Oracle Jdk

- [CVE-2012-4681](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2012-4681/): Oracle Java SE Runtime Environment (JRE) Arbitrary Code Execution (critical 9.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2012-1723](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2012-1723/): Oracle Java SE Runtime Environment (JRE) Arbitrary Code Execution (critical 9.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2015-4805](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2015-4805/): Deserialization in n/a (critical 10.0)
- [CVE-2015-4835](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2015-4835/): Other in n/a (critical 10.0)
- [CVE-2015-4843](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2015-4843/): Other in n/a (critical 10.0)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2013-1488 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2013-1488 is a critical code injection vulnerability in Oracle Jdk, published on 8 Mar 2013. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Exploitation: It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2013-1488 exists.

Affected product: Oracle Jdk. 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-2013-1488/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2013-1488/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2013-1488
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2013-1488
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2013-1488

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2013-1488/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.