Important: java-1.4.2-bea security update

java-1.4.2-bea as shipped in Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3 Extras, Red Hat
Enterprise Linux 4 Extras, and Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 Supplementary,
contains security flaws and should not be used.

This update has been rated as having important security impact by the Red
Hat Security Response Team.

The BEA WebLogic JRockit JRE and SDK contains BEA WebLogic JRockit Virtual
Machine and is certified for the Java™ 2 Platform, Standard Edition,
v1.4.2.

The java-1.4.2-bea packages are vulnerable to important security flaws and
should no longer be used.

Several flaws involving the handling of unsigned applets were found. A
remote attacker could misuse an unsigned applet in order to connect to
services on the host running the applet. (CVE-2008-3104)

A buffer overflow vulnerability was found in the font processing code. This
allowed remote attackers to extend the permissions of an untrusted applet
or application, allowing it to read or write local files, as well as to
execute local applications accessible to the user running the untrusted
application. (CVE-2008-3108)

The vulnerabilities concerning applets listed above can only be triggered
in java-1.4.2-bea by calling the "appletviewer" application.

BEA was acquired by Oracle® during 2008 (the acquisition was completed on
April 29, 2008). Consequently, JRockit is now an Oracle offering and these
issues are addressed in the current release of Oracle JRockit. Due to a
license change by Oracle, however, Red Hat is unable to ship Oracle
JRockit.

Users who wish to continue using JRockit should get an update directly from
Oracle: http://oracle.com/technology/software/products/jrockit/.

Alternatives to Oracle JRockit include the Java 2 Technology Edition of the
IBM® Developer Kit for Linux and the Sun™ Java SE Development Kit (JDK),
both of which are available on the Extras or Supplementary channels. For
Java 6 users, the new OpenJDK open source JDK will be included in Red Hat
Enterprise Linux 5.3 and will be supported by Red Hat.

This update removes the java-1.4.2-bea packages due to their known security
vulnerabilities.

Before applying this update, make sure that all previously-released
errata relevant to your system have been applied.

This update is available via Red Hat Network. Details on how to use
the Red Hat Network to apply this update are available at
http://kbase.redhat.com/faq/FAQ_58_10188

454601 - CVE-2008-3104 Java RE allows Same Origin Policy to be Bypassed (6687932)
454604 - CVE-2008-3108 Security Vulnerability with JRE fonts processing may allow Elevation of Privileges (6450319)

https://support.bea.com/application_content/product_portlets/securityadvisories/jrockitindex.html
http://oracle.com/technology/software/products/jrockit/
http://www.redhat.com/security/updates/classification/#important

Security