CVE-2010-4456 in Java System Communications Express
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Oracle Sun Java System Communications Express 6.2 and 6.3 allows remote attackers to affect integrity via unknown vectors related to Web Mail.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/13/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-4456 affects Oracle Sun Java System Communications Express version 6.2 and 6.3, specifically impacting the Web Mail component of this email communication platform. This unspecified flaw represents a critical security weakness that enables remote attackers to compromise the integrity of the system without requiring authentication or privileged access. The vulnerability resides within the web mail functionality, which serves as a primary interface for users to access their email services through web-based applications.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and potentially flawed data handling mechanisms within the web mail module. Attackers can exploit this weakness through remote network connections to manipulate data integrity aspects of the communications express platform. The unspecified vectors suggest that the vulnerability may involve multiple attack paths or could be related to various data processing functions within the web mail interface. This type of vulnerability typically indicates inadequate sanitization of user inputs or improper handling of web requests that could lead to data corruption or unauthorized modification of email content.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-4456 extends beyond simple data integrity concerns, potentially enabling attackers to modify email messages, alter user data, or manipulate communication flows within the affected system. Organizations relying on this email platform face significant risks including unauthorized message alteration, data breaches, and potential compromise of sensitive communications. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors can exploit this vulnerability from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the system or local network presence. This characteristic significantly increases the attack surface and makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where email systems serve as critical communication infrastructure.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in relation to CWE-20, which addresses "Improper Input Validation," and potentially CWE-311, "Missing Encryption of Sensitive Data," as the integrity compromise could involve data manipulation during transmission or storage. The attack patterns associated with this vulnerability align with techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the "Data Manipulation" tactic, where adversaries seek to corrupt or alter data to achieve their objectives. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying Oracle's security patches, network segmentation to limit access to the communications express servers, and enhanced monitoring of web mail traffic for suspicious activities. Additional defensive measures include implementing web application firewalls, conducting thorough security assessments of the affected components, and establishing incident response procedures specifically addressing data integrity compromise scenarios.