# CVE-2017-3289: Oracle Java SE insecure class construction in Hotspot

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2017-3289-oracle-java-se-insecure-class-construction-in-hotspot  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2017-01-27. Updated: 2026-05-13  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2017-3289 · Severity: critical · CVSS 9.6 · Published 2017-01-27

A critical vulnerability exists in the Hotspot component of Oracle Java SE, which is used to run Java applications on computers and embedded devices. If a user is tricked into running malicious Java code—such as through a compromised website or a sandboxed applet—an attacker could bypass security protections to take full control of the system. This issue primarily affects desktop users and clients that run untrusted code from the internet, rather than secured server environments.

Technologies: [Oracle Java SE](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/java-se), [Oracle Java SE Embedded](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/java-se-embedded). Vendors: [Oracle](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/oracle).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2017-3289 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2017-3289 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2017-3289?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 9.6, published 27 January 2017.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Oracle Java SE 7u121, 8u112; Oracle Java SE Embedded 8u111.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2017-3289?** A patch was published on 2017-01-19: Red Hat released security updates for RHEL 5, 6, and 7. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2017-3289 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a software library.

**Am I affected by CVE-2017-3289?** Check whether you run Oracle Java SE or Oracle Java SE Embedded at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## Technical details

This vulnerability, classified as 'insecure class construction' within the Hotspot subcomponent, allows an unauthenticated attacker with network access to compromise the Java Runtime Environment. The exploit is triggered when a user runs untrusted, sandboxed Java code (such as Java Web Start applications or applets) that leverages this flaw to escape the Java sandbox. Successful exploitation results in a complete takeover of the Java SE or Java SE Embedded instance, potentially impacting the underlying host system. The vulnerability is easily exploitable but requires human interaction, such as a user visiting a malicious webpage. Oracle addressed this in the January 2017 Critical Patch Update (CPU).

## Affected products

- Oracle Java SE 7u121, 8u112
- Oracle Java SE Embedded 8u111

## Timeline

- 2017-01-19: patched: Red Hat released security updates for RHEL 5, 6, and 7.
- 2017-01-27: disclosed: Initial public disclosure.

## References

- [http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017-0175.html](http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017-0175.html)
- [http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017-0176.html](http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017-0176.html)
- [http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017-0180.html](http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017-0180.html)
- [http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017-0263.html](http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017-0263.html)
- [http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017-0269.html](http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017-0269.html)
- [http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017-0336.html](http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017-0336.html)
- [http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017-0337.html](http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017-0337.html)

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