Java present on a system but not installed Is this a cybersecurity issue

Question

I've currently got a Java application that has several components such as MySQL. these components are heavily outdated. these components are all present on the D;/ disk but are not installed on the C;/ disk (as in, can't uninstall them via the control panel).

does this form a risk? even though Java isn't installed, it is present on the system. Can vulnerabilities be exploited this way?

I've scanned the system with Nessus, but can't find any "vulnerabilities" because the components are not installed. but I'm certain there are some vulnerabilities available in the version of Java I have on my system. any nessus alternatives?

if anyone has more sources about this I can read about please share them.

Answer 1

Yes, having outdated components on your system can pose a security risk. Attackers often target outdated software that has known vulnerabilities, as these vulnerabilities can be exploited to gain unauthorized access to a system or to steal sensitive information.

Even though Java is not installed, if it is present on the system, it can still be a target for attackers. Attackers can use known vulnerabilities in outdated versions of Java to gain access to your system, even if the application that uses Java is not currently running.

Therefore, it's important to keep all software on your system, including Java and MySQL, up to date with the latest security patches and updates. Additionally, if you're not using certain components, it's best to uninstall them completely to reduce the attack surface of your system.