CVE-2010-3548 in Java
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the Java Naming and Directory Interface (JNDI) component in Oracle Java SE and Java for Business 6 Update 21, 5.0 Update 25, and 1.4.2_27 allows remote attackers to affect confidentiality via unknown vectors. NOTE: the previous information was obtained from the October 2010 CPU. Oracle has not commented on claims from a reliable downstream vendor that this allows remote attackers to determine internal IP addresses or "otherwise-protected internal network names."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/27/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-3548 resides within Oracle Java SE and Java for Business versions 6 Update 21, 5.0 Update 25, and 1.4.2_27, specifically affecting the Java Naming and Directory Interface component. This JNDI component serves as a crucial interface for accessing directory services and naming information within Java applications, making it a potential target for attackers seeking to compromise system security. The vulnerability's classification as unspecified indicates that the exact technical mechanism remains partially obscured, though it clearly represents a significant security weakness in the Java runtime environment that could be exploited remotely.
The technical flaw within JNDI manifests as a weakness that permits remote attackers to potentially compromise the confidentiality of information within Java applications. This vulnerability operates through unknown vectors that have not been fully disclosed, suggesting either a complex exploitation method or deliberate obfuscation by the vendor. The vulnerability's impact extends to the potential exposure of internal network information, including internal IP addresses and protected network names, which represents a serious concern for network security and information protection. This type of vulnerability falls under the broader category of information disclosure flaws that can provide attackers with valuable reconnaissance data for subsequent attacks.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risks for organizations running affected Java versions, as it could enable attackers to gather internal network topology information without direct system compromise. The ability to determine internal IP addresses and network names provides attackers with crucial mapping information that could facilitate more sophisticated attacks such as internal network reconnaissance, lateral movement, and targeted exploitation of other systems. This vulnerability's potential to expose internal network information aligns with attack patterns documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under information gathering and reconnaissance techniques, where attackers seek to understand network structures and identify potential targets.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can serve as a foundation for more complex attack chains. Organizations may find their internal network architecture exposed to external threat actors who can use this information to plan targeted attacks against specific network segments or services. The vulnerability's presence in multiple Java versions suggests a widespread risk that affects numerous legacy systems and applications still running outdated Java runtime environments. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability when conducting risk assessments, particularly in environments where Java applications interact with directory services or where internal network information protection is critical. The vulnerability's classification under CWE (Common Weakness Enumeration) would likely fall within categories related to information exposure or improper access control in directory services, making it a significant concern for enterprise security teams.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation of this vulnerability by upgrading to patched versions of Oracle Java SE and Java for Business, as the vulnerability's remote exploitation capabilities present an elevated risk to system confidentiality. The lack of specific exploitation details should not diminish the urgency of addressing this vulnerability, as the potential for information disclosure and network reconnaissance represents a serious threat to organizational security posture. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual directory service access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while network segmentation and access controls should be reviewed to limit the potential impact of any successful exploitation. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining current Java runtime environments and implementing comprehensive patch management strategies to protect against known security flaws that could provide attackers with valuable reconnaissance information.