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CVE-2012-1723: Oracle Java SE Runtime Environment (JRE) Arbitrary Code Execution Vulnerability

100
Patch now
CRITICAL 9.8EXPLOITEDREMOTEWATCHLISTUPGRADEUPGRADEUPGRADE

CVE-2012-1723 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) affecting jdk, jre, icedtea6, reported as exploited in the wild. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Unspecified vulnerability in the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) component in Oracle Java SE 7 update 4 and earlier, 6 update 32 and earlier, 5 update 35 and earlier, and 1.4.2_37 and earlier allows remote attackers to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability via unknown vectors related to Hotspot.

Why this priority

  • Critical severity
  • EPSS top 1%: very likely to be exploited
  • Exploited in the wild (CISA KEV)
  • Used in ransomware campaigns
  • Public exploit reference
  • CISA SSVC: automatable with total technical impact
  • Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action
  • On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score9.8 (Critical)
Attack vectorNetwork (remote)
Attack complexityLow
Privileges neededNone
User interactionNone
EPSS exploit chance93.6% (top 1%)
CISA exploited listYes, fix due 2022-03-24, used in ransomware
WeaknessCWE-284
Published2012-06-16
Last modified2026-08-06
Publisher (CNA): Oracle · Vendor: oracle · redhat

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Last updated 2026-08-06 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

oracle jdk UPGRADE
Affected: <= 1.4.2_37 · 1.5.0 · 1.5.0 update1 · 1.5.0 update10 · 1.5.0 update11 · 1.5.0 update12 · 1.5.0 update13 · 1.5.0 update14
Fixed in: newer than 1.4.2_37
Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release
1. Check installed version
apt-cache policy jdk || rpm -q jdk || jdk --version
2. UPGRADE to newer than 1.4.2_37 (Debian / Ubuntu)
sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade jdk
2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)
sudo dnf upgrade jdk
Note
Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.
oracle jre UPGRADE
Affected: <= 1.4.2_37 · 1.5.0 · 1.5.0 update1 · 1.5.0 update10 · 1.5.0 update11 · 1.5.0 update12 · 1.5.0 update13 · 1.5.0 update14
Fixed in: newer than 1.4.2_37
Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release
1. Check installed version
apt-cache policy jre || rpm -q jre || jre --version
2. UPGRADE to newer than 1.4.2_37 (Debian / Ubuntu)
sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade jre
2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)
sudo dnf upgrade jre
Note
Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.
redhat icedtea6 UPGRADE
Affected: < 1.10.8 · >= 1.11.0 and < 1.11.3
Fixed in: 1.10.8, 1.11.3
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.11.0
1. Check installed version
apt-cache policy icedtea6 || rpm -q icedtea6 || icedtea6 --version
2. UPGRADE to 1.10.8 (Debian / Ubuntu)
sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade icedtea6
2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)
sudo dnf upgrade icedtea6
Note
Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.
3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.11.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)
apt-cache madison icedtea6 sudo apt install icedtea6=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.11.0> sudo apt-mark hold icedtea6
3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)
dnf --showduplicates list icedtea6 sudo dnf downgrade icedtea6-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.11.0> sudo dnf versionlock add icedtea6
Downgrade risk
Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.
After downgrade
Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.
redhat enterprise linux desktop MITIGATE
Affected: 5.0 · 6.0
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 5.0
Check your OS release
cat /etc/os-release; uname -r
Debian / Ubuntu
sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade
RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora
sudo dnf upgrade --refresh
Windows
Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update
If no patch exists yet
OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.
redhat enterprise linux eus MITIGATE
Affected: 6.2
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 6.2
Check your OS release
cat /etc/os-release; uname -r
Debian / Ubuntu
sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade
RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora
sudo dnf upgrade --refresh
Windows
Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update
If no patch exists yet
OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.
redhat enterprise linux server MITIGATE
Affected: 5.0 · 6.0
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 5.0
Check your OS release
cat /etc/os-release; uname -r
Debian / Ubuntu
sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade
RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora
sudo dnf upgrade --refresh
Windows
Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update
If no patch exists yet
OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

Exact fixes by distribution

A distro patch exists: prefer upgrading over downgrading.
Fedora 46 · dupeguru · FIXED · 4.3.1^20261101git7a2c79f-1.fc46 · FEDORA-2026-fe4523382c · source
sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-fe4523382c
Fedora ELN · openexr · FIXED · 3.4.13-3.eln159 · FEDORA-2026-827a613db5 · source
sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-827a613db5
RHEL 5 · java-1.6.0-openjdk · FIXED · java-1.6.0-openjdk-1.6.0.0-1.27.1.10.8.el5_8
sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=RHSA-2012:0730 rpm -q java-1.6.0-openjdk
RHEL 6 · java-1.6.0-openjdk · FIXED · java-1.6.0-openjdk-1.6.0.0-1.48.1.11.3.el6_2
sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=RHSA-2012:0729 rpm -q java-1.6.0-openjdk
RHEL 6 · java-1.7.0-openjdk · FIXED · java-1.7.0-openjdk-1.7.0.5-2.2.1.el6_3
sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=RHSA-2012:1009 rpm -q java-1.7.0-openjdk
Amazon Linux 1 · see advisory · FIXED · ALAS-2012-88 · source
sudo yum update --advisory=ALAS-2012-88

Public exploits and detection

Public code exists for this CVE. Treat unpatched systems as at risk, and only run PoCs in a lab.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · CISA KEV catalog · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2012-1723?

jdk: upgrade to newer than 1.4.2_37; jre: upgrade to newer than 1.4.2_37; icedtea6: upgrade to 1.10.8, 1.11.3. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2012-1723 being exploited?

Yes. CVE-2012-1723 is on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list, so treat it as patch-now.

What does CVE-2012-1723 affect?

CVE-2012-1723 affects jdk, jre, icedtea6. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). Unspecified vulnerability in the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) component in Oracle Java SE 7 update 4 and earlier, 6 update 32 and earlier, 5 update 35 and earlier, and 1.4.2_37 and earlier allows remote attackers to affect confidentiality

How urgent is CVE-2012-1723?

Priority 100/100. Critical severity; EPSS top 1%: very likely to be exploited; Exploited in the wild (CISA KEV); Used in ransomware campaigns; Public exploit reference; CISA SSVC: automatable with total technical impact; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action; On your watchlist

Software pages

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References

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