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When a custom class loader must override the getPermissions() method, the implementation must consult the default system policy by explicitly invoking the superclass's getPermissions() method before assigning arbitrary permissions to the code source. The getPermissions() method is defined by SecureClassLoader, which extends ClassLoader. ClassLoader is A custom class loader that ignores the superclass's getPermissions() could load untrusted classes with elevated privileges. ClassLoader is abstract and must not be extended directly subclassed. 

Noncompliant Code Example

This noncompliant code example shows a fragment of a custom class loader that extends the class URLClassLoader. It overrides the getPermissions() method and but does not call the its superclass's more restrictive getPermissions() method. Consequently, a class defined using this custom class loader has permissions that are completely independent of those specified in the system-wide systemwide policy file. In effect, the class's permissions override them.

protected PermissionCollection getPermissions(CodeSource cs) {
  PermissionCollection pc = new Permissions();
  // Allow exit from the VM anytime
  pc.add(new RuntimePermission("exitVM"));   // allow exit from the VM anytime
  return pc;
}

Compliant Solution

In this compliant solution, the getPermissions() method calls super.getPermissions(). As a result, the default system-wide systemwide security policy is applied , in addition to the custom policy.

protected PermissionCollection getPermissions(CodeSource cs) {
  PermissionCollection pc = super.getPermissions(cs);
  // Allow exit from the VM anytime
  pc.add(new RuntimePermission("exitVM"));   // allow exit from the VM anytime
  return pc;
}

Risk Assessment

Failure to consult the default system policy while defining a custom class loader violates the tenets of defensive programming and can result in classes defined with unintended permissions.

Automated Detection

Violations of this rule can be discovered with a heuristic checker in the style of FindBugs. As with all heuristic checks, achieving a low false-positive rate is essential.

Bibliography

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Android Implementation Details

The java.security package exists on Android for compatibility purposes only, and it should not be used.

Bibliography

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Image Added Image Added Image AddedImage Removed      14. Platform Security (SEC)      SEC08-J. Define wrappers around native methods