CVE-2014-0375 in Java SE
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Oracle Java SE 6u65 and 7u45 allows remote attackers to affect confidentiality and integrity via unknown vectors related to Deployment, a different vulnerability than CVE-2013-5898 and CVE-2014-0403.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/07/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-0375 represents a critical security flaw within Oracle Java SE versions 6u65 and 7u45 that falls under the broader category of deployment-related vulnerabilities. This issue specifically affects the Java Deployment Toolkit component which is responsible for managing Java applets and applications within web browsers. The vulnerability operates in a manner that allows remote attackers to compromise both confidentiality and integrity of affected systems, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where Java applets are commonly used for business applications and web-based services. Unlike other related vulnerabilities such as CVE-2013-5898 and CVE-2014-0403, this flaw demonstrates distinct characteristics that make it a separate and unique threat vector within the Java security landscape.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of deployment configuration files and applet execution contexts within the Java Runtime Environment. Attackers can exploit this weakness through carefully crafted malicious web content that triggers specific code paths in the Deployment Toolkit component. The flaw likely involves memory corruption or improper input validation that occurs when processing certain deployment descriptors or when establishing communication between the browser and the Java plugin. This vulnerability operates at the intersection of multiple security domains including web application security, client-side execution, and Java runtime integrity. The unspecified nature of the exact attack vectors indicates that the flaw may manifest through various methods of exploitation that all ultimately lead to unauthorized access to system resources and data manipulation capabilities.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations that rely on Java applets for critical business functions, particularly in financial services, healthcare, and government sectors. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers can compromise systems without requiring physical access or local privileges, making the attack surface much broader than traditional local exploits. Organizations running vulnerable Java versions may experience data breaches, unauthorized system modifications, and potential complete system compromise depending on the execution context and privileges available to the Java runtime. The impact extends beyond individual system compromise to potentially affect entire network infrastructures where Java applets are used for internal communications or business process automation. Security teams must consider this vulnerability as a potential entry point for advanced persistent threats that could leverage the compromised systems for lateral movement and data exfiltration.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-0375 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Java installations to the latest available versions that contain the necessary security fixes. Organizations should implement network segmentation and firewall rules that restrict access to Java-enabled web services and disable Java applet execution in web browsers where possible. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by configuring Java runtime environments with minimal required permissions and disabling unnecessary deployment features. Security monitoring should include detection of suspicious Java-related network traffic and anomalous execution patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify additional vulnerabilities in Java-based applications and to verify the effectiveness of implemented controls. The vulnerability aligns with attack patterns documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the application deployment and privilege escalation categories, making it a significant concern for organizations implementing comprehensive cybersecurity frameworks. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls and content security policies to further reduce the attack surface and prevent exploitation of this and similar vulnerabilities.