CVE-2002-2072 in JRE
Summary
by MITRE
java.security.AccessController in Sun Java Virtual Machine (JVM) in JRE 1.2.2 and 1.3.1 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (JVM crash) via a Java program that calls the doPrivileged method with a null argument.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/03/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-2072 represents a critical flaw in the Sun Java Virtual Machine's security implementation that affects JRE versions 1.2.2 and 1.3.1. This issue resides within the java.security.AccessController class which serves as a fundamental component for managing security permissions and access control within the Java platform. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the doPrivileged method is invoked with a null argument, creating a condition that can be exploited to trigger a complete JVM crash. This represents a denial of service attack vector that can be executed remotely, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where Java applications are deployed.
The technical flaw stems from inadequate input validation within the AccessController implementation where the doPrivileged method fails to properly handle null arguments. When a malicious Java program passes a null parameter to this method, the JVM's internal security framework encounters an unhandled exception that results in an abrupt termination of the virtual machine process. This behavior violates the fundamental security principle that Java applications should not be able to crash the underlying JVM through legitimate security API usage. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-471 which deals with the use of a non-constant object in a context where a constant is required, specifically in the context of security permission handling. The flaw demonstrates a classic lack of proper null pointer validation that can be exploited by attackers to disrupt Java application execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption as it can be leveraged to create significant system instability in environments where Java applications are critical to operations. When exploited, the vulnerability can cause complete JVM crashes that may result in application downtime, data loss, and potential cascading failures in systems that depend on Java runtime environments. In enterprise settings where multiple applications may be running on the same JVM instance, a successful attack could compromise the stability of entire application servers. The vulnerability particularly affects web applications and applets that run in browser environments, as these are common attack vectors for remote exploitation. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499 which covers network denial of service attacks and demonstrates how security flaws in core runtime components can be weaponized for system disruption.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-2072 primarily involve immediate patching of affected JRE versions to the latest available updates from Sun Microsystems. Organizations should prioritize upgrading to JRE versions that have addressed this specific vulnerability in the AccessController implementation. Additionally, implementing proper input validation at the application level can provide an additional layer of defense, though this approach is less reliable than system-level patches. Network segmentation and firewall rules can help limit the exposure of vulnerable systems to potential attackers, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual JVM crash patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Security administrators should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of untrusted Java code that could potentially exploit this vulnerability. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper security testing and validation of core platform components, particularly those handling security-sensitive operations.