CVE-2014-0368 in Java SE
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Oracle Java SE 5.0u55, 6u65, and 7u45, and Java SE Embedded 7u45, allows remote attackers to affect confidentiality via unknown vectors related to Networking. NOTE: the previous information is from the January 2014 CPU. Oracle has not commented on third-party claims that the issue is related to incorrect permission checks when listening on a socket, which allows attackers to escape the sandbox.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/07/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-0368 represents a critical security flaw within Oracle Java SE and Java SE Embedded platforms affecting versions 5.0u55, 6u65, 7u45, and 7u45 respectively. This unspecified weakness resides within the networking components of the Java Runtime Environment and poses significant risks to system confidentiality. The vulnerability was initially documented in the January 2014 Critical Patch Update, indicating its severity and the need for immediate attention from system administrators and security professionals. The lack of specific technical details in the initial disclosure suggests this issue may have been a complex sandbox escape mechanism that was difficult to fully characterize without deeper analysis.
The technical nature of this vulnerability appears to stem from improper permission checks during socket listening operations within the Java security model. This flaw allows malicious actors to bypass the standard Java sandbox restrictions that typically prevent applications from accessing system resources or communicating with external networks without proper authorization. The vulnerability's classification as a sandbox escape mechanism aligns with common attack patterns described in the attack tree framework where adversaries seek to break out of restricted execution environments to gain elevated privileges or access to sensitive data. This particular weakness demonstrates the fundamental challenge in maintaining secure sandbox implementations in complex software platforms like Java.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-0368 extends beyond simple data confidentiality breaches, as it provides attackers with potential pathways to execute arbitrary code or access sensitive system information. When exploited, this vulnerability could enable remote attackers to circumvent network security controls and establish unauthorized communication channels, potentially leading to data exfiltration or further system compromise. The fact that this issue affects multiple Java versions indicates a widespread problem within the platform's networking stack implementation. Organizations running affected Java versions face significant risk exposure, particularly those with applications that handle sensitive data or operate in environments where network isolation is critical for security.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability primarily involve immediate patching of affected Java installations to the latest available versions from Oracle. System administrators should prioritize updating all Java runtime environments across their infrastructure, particularly those exposed to untrusted networks or handling sensitive data. Additional protective measures include implementing network segmentation to limit Java application access to necessary resources, disabling unnecessary network functionality in Java applications, and monitoring for suspicious network activity that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification as a sandbox escape issue aligns with common attack patterns documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework where adversaries seek to bypass application isolation mechanisms. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies and regular security assessments to identify other potential vulnerabilities in their Java-based applications. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and the inherent risks associated with complex software platforms that must balance functionality with security isolation.