CVE-2008-5353

EXPLOITED

Sun Java Calendar Deserialization Privilege Escalation

Title source: metasploit
STIX 2.1

Exploitation Summary

CVE-2008-5353 has been observed exploited in the wild (reported by VulnCheck KEV). EIP tracks 5 public exploits from researchers including Metasploit, Landon Fuller, sf, including a Metasploit module exploits/multi/browser/java_calendar_deserialize.

AI-analyzed exploit summary This exploit dynamically generates a signed Java applet to bypass security warnings, leveraging social engineering to execute arbitrary code on the victim's machine. It uses the CVE-2008-5353 vulnerability to achieve remote code execution via a crafted JAR file.

Description

The Java Runtime Environment (JRE) for Sun JDK and JRE 6 Update 10 and earlier; JDK and JRE 5.0 Update 16 and earlier; and SDK and JRE 1.4.2_18 and earlier does not properly enforce context of ZoneInfo objects during deserialization, which allows remote attackers to run untrusted applets and applications in a privileged context, as demonstrated by "deserializing Calendar objects".

Exploits (5)

exploitdb WORKING POC VERIFIED
by Metasploit · rubyremotemultiple
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/16302

This exploit dynamically generates a signed Java applet to bypass security warnings, leveraging social engineering to execute arbitrary code on the victim's machine. It uses the CVE-2008-5353 vulnerability to achieve remote code execution via a crafted JAR file.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Java Runtime Environment (JRE) with signed applet trust dialog
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Java Development Kit (JDK) · rjb rubygem · JAVA_HOME environment variable set · Victim interaction to accept the signed applet
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
exploitdb WORKING POC VERIFIED
by Metasploit · rubyremotemultiple
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/16293

This Metasploit module exploits a deserialization flaw in the Sun Java Calendar class (CVE-2008-5353) to achieve remote code execution. It delivers a malicious JAR file via an HTML page with an embedded applet, supporting multiple payload types including reverse shells and native executables.

Classification
Working Poc 100%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Sun Java JDK/JRE 6 Update 10 and earlier, JDK/JRE 5.0 Update 16 and earlier, SDK/JRE 1.4.2_18 and earlier
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Target must have a vulnerable Java version installed · Target must visit a malicious webpage hosting the exploit
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
exploitdb WRITEUP VERIFIED
by Landon Fuller · textremoteosx
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/8753

The document describes CVE-2008-5353, a Java sandbox escape vulnerability affecting Mac OS X JVMs, allowing arbitrary command execution via malicious applets. It includes a proof-of-concept link demonstrating the exploit.

Classification
Writeup 90%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Mac OS X JVMs (including Soylatte 1.0.3)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: User visits a malicious webpage hosting the exploit applet
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
exploitdb WORKING POC VERIFIED
by sf · rubyremotemultiple
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/9948

This Metasploit module exploits a deserialization flaw in Sun Java Calendar objects (CVE-2008-5353) to achieve remote code execution. It supports multiple platforms and payload types, including native executables and Java-based shells.

Classification
Working Poc 100%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Sun Java JDK/JRE 6 Update 10 and earlier, JDK/JRE 5.0 Update 16 and earlier, SDK/JRE 1.4.2_18 and earlier
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Target must have a vulnerable Java version installed · Target must visit a malicious webpage or open a malicious JAR file
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
metasploit WORKING POC EXCELLENT
by sf, hdm · rubypocwin
https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/blob/master/modules/exploits/multi/browser/java_calendar_deserialize.rb

This Metasploit module exploits a deserialization flaw in the Sun JVM's Calendar object handling, allowing privilege escalation or remote code execution via a malicious Java applet. It supports multiple platforms and payload types, including reverse/bind shells and native executables.

Classification
Working Poc 100%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: JDK/JRE 6 Update 10 and earlier, JDK/JRE 5.0 Update 16 and earlier, SDK/JRE 1.4.2_18 and earlier
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Target must have a vulnerable Java version installed · Target must visit a malicious webpage or execute the malicious applet
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →

References (42)

Core 42
Core References
Mailing List vendor-advisory x_refsource_hp
http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=126583436323697&w=2
Vendor Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_redhat
http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2008-1018.html
Mailing List vendor-advisory x_refsource_hp
http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=123678756409861&w=2
Third Party Advisory third-party-advisory x_refsource_secunia
http://secunia.com/advisories/34259
Third Party Advisory vdb-entry x_refsource_vupen
http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2009/0672
Third Party Advisory third-party-advisory x_refsource_secunia
http://secunia.com/advisories/33015
Third Party Advisory third-party-advisory x_refsource_secunia
http://secunia.com/advisories/34889
Third Party Advisory third-party-advisory x_refsource_secunia
http://secunia.com/advisories/34233
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry x_refsource_sectrack
http://www.securitytracker.com/id?1021313
Third Party Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_gentoo
http://security.gentoo.org/glsa/glsa-200911-02.xml
Third Party Advisory third-party-advisory x_refsource_secunia
http://secunia.com/advisories/38539
Third Party Advisory third-party-advisory x_refsource_secunia
http://secunia.com/advisories/34972
Vendor Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_redhat
https://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2009-0466.html
Third Party Advisory third-party-advisory x_refsource_secunia
http://secunia.com/advisories/35065
Third Party Advisory third-party-advisory x_refsource_secunia
http://secunia.com/advisories/33528
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry signature x_refsource_oval
https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A6511
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry mailing-list x_refsource_bugtraq
http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/503797/100/0/threaded
Vendor Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_redhat
http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2008-1025.html
Third Party Advisory vdb-entry x_refsource_vupen
http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2008/3339
Vendor Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_redhat
http://www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2009-0445.html
Patch, Vendor Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_sunalert
http://sunsolve.sun.com/search/document.do?assetkey=1-26-244991-1
Vendor Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_redhat
http://www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2009-0016.html
US Government Resource third-party-advisory x_refsource_cert
http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA08-340A.html
Third Party Advisory third-party-advisory x_refsource_secunia
http://secunia.com/advisories/33709
Third Party Advisory third-party-advisory x_refsource_secunia
http://secunia.com/advisories/34605
Vendor Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_redhat
http://www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2009-0015.html
Third Party Advisory third-party-advisory x_refsource_secunia
http://secunia.com/advisories/35118
Third Party Advisory vdb-entry x_refsource_vupen
http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2009/1391
Third Party Advisory third-party-advisory x_refsource_secunia
http://secunia.com/advisories/32991
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry x_refsource_osvdb
http://osvdb.org/50500
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry x_refsource_bid
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/32608
Third Party Advisory third-party-advisory x_refsource_secunia
http://secunia.com/advisories/37386
Third Party Advisory third-party-advisory x_refsource_secunia
http://secunia.com/advisories/33710

Scores

EPSS 0.8953
EPSS Percentile 99.6%

Details

VulnCheck KEV 2010-01-05
Status published
Products (22)
sun/jdk 5.0 update_1 (15 CPE variants)
sun/jdk 6 (10 CPE variants)
sun/jdk < 5.0
sun/jdk < 6
sun/jre 1.4.2_1
sun/jre 1.4.2_2
sun/jre 1.4.2_3
sun/jre 1.4.2_4
sun/jre 1.4.2_5
sun/jre 1.4.2_6
... and 12 more
Published Dec 05, 2008
Tracked Since Feb 18, 2026