Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Critical Oracle Java Security Update

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Oracle released the scheduled critical security updates for its Java SE Runtime Environment software.

This is a Critical Patch Update that contains 40 new security fixes for Oracle Java SE.  Oracle indicated that thirty-seven (37) of the vulnerabilities may be remotely exploitable without authentication.  This was described as the possibility of being exploited over a network without the need for a username and password.

Additional details about the update are available in the Oracle Quality Assurance Blog post, June 2013 Critical Patch Update for Java SE Released.  If Java is still installed on your computer, it is recommended that this update be applied as soon as possible due to the threat posed by a successful attack.

For those people who have desktop applications that require Java and cannot uninstall it, Java can now be disabled in Internet Explorer.  See Microsoft Fix it to Disable Java in Internet Explorer.

Java Security Recommendations

1)  In the Java Control Panel, at minimum, set the security to high.
2)  Keep Java disabled until needed.  Uncheck the box "Enable Java content in the browser" in the Java Control Panel.

Java ControlPanel
(Image via Sophos Naked Security Blog)

3)  If you use Firefox, install NoScript and only allow Java on those sites where it is required.

Instructions on removing older (and less secure) versions of Java can be found at http://java.com/en/download/faq/remove_olderversions.xml

Download Information

Download link:  Java Version 7 Update 25

Verify your version:  http://www.java.com/en/download/testjava.jsp

Notes:
  • UNcheck any pre-checked toolbar and/or software options presented with the update. They are not part of the software update and are completely optional.
  • Starting with Java SE 7 Update 21 in April 2013, all Java Applets and Web Start Applications should be signed with a trusted certificate.  It is not recommended to run untrusted/unsigned Certificates.  See How to protect your computer against dangerous Java Applets

Critical Patch Updates

For Oracle Java SE Critical Patch Updates, the next scheduled dates are as follows:
  • 15 October 2013
  • 14 January 2014
  • 15 April 2014 

References





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2 comments:

Peter Griffioen said...

Latest version of Java 7 rel 25 was a nightmare. It was just as well I installed it on my test laptop. It took me 4 hours to get back to V7 rel 21. 2 system restores and deleting/installing lost software finally returned my Laptop to where it was this morning. Just wish I could do without Java but it depends on an external link where I enter my BGL readings as I am a type 2 diabetic.

Sorry about my moan but I think Java have lost the plot.

Abhishek Ghosh said...

The recaptcha thing is difficult to remember from mobile devices :)