CVE-2006-5654 in Java System Application Server
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the Network Security Services (NSS) in Sun Java System Web Server 6.0 before SP 10 and ONE Application Server 7 before Update 3, when SSLv2 is enabled, allows remote authenticated users to cause a denial of service (application crash) via unspecified vectors. NOTE: due to lack of details from the vendor, it is unclear whether this is related to vector 1 in CVE-2006-5201 or CVE-2006-3127.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/26/2026
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-5654 represents a critical security flaw within the Network Security Services implementation of Sun Java System Web Server and ONE Application Server. This issue specifically manifests when SSLv2 protocol is enabled, creating a pathway for remote authenticated attackers to execute denial of service attacks against affected systems. The vulnerability's classification as unspecified means that detailed technical vectors remain undisclosed by the vendor, which complicates comprehensive risk assessment and remediation planning. The affected software versions include Sun Java System Web Server 6.0 prior to Service Pack 10 and ONE Application Server 7 prior to Update 3, indicating this was a widespread issue affecting enterprise web infrastructure components from that era. The lack of specific details from the vendor creates ambiguity regarding whether this vulnerability constitutes a distinct issue or shares characteristics with other related vulnerabilities such as those referenced in CVE-2006-5201 and CVE-2006-3127, highlighting the challenges in vulnerability correlation and management during this period of software security development.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from the insecure handling of SSLv2 protocol communications within the NSS framework, which governs cryptographic operations and security services for these Java-based web servers. When SSLv2 is enabled, the system's processing of certain network packets or handshake sequences appears to trigger application instability leading to complete service termination. This behavior aligns with common denial of service patterns where malformed input or unexpected protocol states cause memory corruption, stack overflow conditions, or resource exhaustion within the application process. The fact that authentication is required suggests that attackers must first establish valid credentials, potentially limiting the scope to internal threats or compromised accounts, though this requirement does not prevent significant operational disruption. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple service interruption as application crashes can lead to extended downtime, potential data loss, and compromise of system availability for legitimate users. This particular weakness demonstrates the inherent risks associated with legacy SSL protocols and their continued support within enterprise applications.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to organizations relying on these specific server versions for critical web services and application hosting. The potential for remote authenticated attackers to cause application crashes means that service availability cannot be guaranteed, particularly in environments where SSLv2 support is maintained for backward compatibility with older clients. The business impact includes potential revenue loss, customer service degradation, and increased operational overhead from incident response and system recovery activities. Organizations may face challenges in maintaining service level agreements and regulatory compliance due to the unpredictable nature of service interruptions. The vulnerability's presence in widely deployed enterprise software means that multiple systems could be simultaneously affected, potentially creating cascading failures within larger network infrastructures. Additionally, the lack of detailed information from the vendor creates difficulties in assessing the full scope of risk and implementing appropriate defensive measures, forcing organizations to rely on general mitigation strategies rather than targeted security patches.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-5654 should prioritize immediate implementation of the most effective defensive measures available for the affected systems. The primary recommended approach involves disabling SSLv2 protocol support entirely within the web server configurations, as this eliminates the specific attack vector that triggers the vulnerability. Organizations should also implement comprehensive patch management procedures to upgrade to the vendor-supplied security fixes for Sun Java System Web Server 6.0 SP10 and ONE Application Server 7 Update 3, which contain the necessary code modifications to address the underlying flaw. Network-level protections including firewall rules and intrusion detection system signatures can provide additional layers of defense against exploitation attempts. The implementation of monitoring solutions to detect unusual connection patterns or authentication attempts may help identify potential exploitation activities. Security teams should also consider implementing application-level controls to limit the impact of service disruptions and establish robust backup and recovery procedures. This vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining current security practices including regular vulnerability assessments, protocol modernization, and adherence to security standards such as those defined in the CWE catalog under categories related to protocol handling and denial of service conditions. The ATT&CK framework would classify this vulnerability under the T1499 category for network denial of service, with potential lateral movement implications if attackers can leverage the service disruption to gain additional system access.