The full version string for this update release is 1.8.0_73-b02 (where "b" means "build"). The version number is 8u73.
This update release contains several enhancements and changes including the following.
JDK 8u73 contains IANA time zone data version 2015g. For more information, refer to Timezone Data Versions in the JRE Software.
The security baselines for the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) at the time of the release of JDK 8u73 are specified in the following table:
JRE Family Version | JRE Security Baseline (Full Version String) |
---|---|
8 | 1.8.0_71 |
7 | 1.7.0_95 |
6 | 1.6.0_111 |
For more information about security baselines, see Deploying Java Applets With Family JRE Versions in Java Plug-in for Internet Explorer.
The JRE expires whenever a new release with security vulnerability fixes becomes available. Critical patch updates, which contain security vulnerability fixes, are announced one year in advance on Critical Patch Updates, Security Alerts and Third Party Bulletin. This JRE (version 8u73) will expire with the release of the next critical patch update scheduled for April 19, 2016.
For systems unable to reach the Oracle Servers, a secondary mechanism expires this JRE (version 8u73) on May 19, 2016. After either condition is met (new release becoming available or expiration date reached), the JRE will provide additional warnings and reminders to users to update to the newer version. For more information, see JRE Expiration Date.
Oracle strongly recommends that Java users who have downloaded affected versions and plan future installations with these downloaded versions discard these old downloads. Java users who have installed the January 2016 Critical Patch Update versions of Java SE 6, 7, or 8 need take no action. Java users who have not installed the January 2016 Critical Patch Update versions of Java SE 6, 7, or 8 should upgrade to the Java SE 6, 7, or 8 releases from the Security Alert for CVE-2016-0603.
The demos, samples, and Documentation bundles for 8u73 are not impacted by the Security Alert for CVE-2016-0603, so version 8u71 demos, samples, and Documentation bundles remain the most up to-date version until the April Critical Patch Update release.
This release contains fixes for security vulnerabilities. For more information, see the Oracle Java SE Critical Patch Update Advisory.
Note that 8u73 does not contain the PSU builds found in 8u72. Customers who require the additional bug fixes contained in 8u72 should update to 8u74 instead of 8u73.