CVE-2014-0385 in Java SE
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Oracle Java SE 7u45, when installing on OS X, allows remote attackers to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability via unknown vectors related to Install.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/06/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-0385 represents a critical security flaw within Oracle Java SE 7u45 installation process specifically on macOS operating systems. This issue falls under the category of unspecified vulnerability types that can potentially compromise the fundamental security principles of confidentiality, integrity, and availability within the affected environment. The vulnerability manifests during the installation phase of the Java runtime environment, making it particularly concerning as it affects the initial setup process where users trust the installation to be secure. The unspecified nature of the attack vectors suggests that multiple pathways could be exploited, potentially including buffer overflows, privilege escalation mechanisms, or manipulation of installation files that could lead to unauthorized code execution. The vulnerability specifically targets the installation component of Java SE, which is a critical phase where attackers could potentially inject malicious code or manipulate the installation process to gain elevated privileges. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited before the system has fully initialized, potentially allowing attackers to establish persistent access or corrupt the system's security posture from the very beginning of the installation process.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability appears to leverage weaknesses in the Java installer's handling of OS X specific installation procedures, where the installer process may not properly validate or sanitize input parameters during the installation sequence. The attack surface expands significantly when considering that the installer runs with elevated privileges, making successful exploitation potentially catastrophic. The vulnerability's impact on confidentiality suggests that attackers could potentially access sensitive information that should remain protected during installation, while the integrity compromise indicates that system files or configuration settings could be modified without proper authorization. Availability concerns arise from the possibility that attackers could render the installation process unusable or cause system instability through manipulation of installation components. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-119 which deals with improper restriction of operations within a limited access scope, and CWE-20 which addresses weakness in input validation. The potential for privilege escalation during installation makes this vulnerability particularly attractive to attackers who follow the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation tactics, specifically targeting the installation and setup phases where security controls may be less stringent.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-0385 extends beyond simple exploitation as it represents a fundamental weakness in the installation security model of Java on macOS systems. Organizations that deploy Java applications on macOS platforms face significant risk of compromise during the installation phase, potentially allowing attackers to establish backdoors, modify system configurations, or gain unauthorized access to sensitive data. The vulnerability's presence in Java SE 7u45, which was a widely deployed version, means that numerous systems were potentially exposed to this risk. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to bypass standard security controls, as the installation process typically operates with elevated privileges and may not be subject to the same security restrictions as regular user applications. The remote exploitation capability indicates that attackers do not need physical access to the system, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where Java installations are common. The vulnerability's potential for affecting all three pillars of cybersecurity - confidentiality, integrity, and availability - means that organizations could face comprehensive security breaches rather than isolated incidents, potentially leading to data theft, system corruption, or service disruption. This type of vulnerability would be classified under ATT&CK's initial access and execution phases, where attackers could gain a foothold through the installation process and then pivot to other system components.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-0385 should focus on immediate patching of affected Java installations, with particular emphasis on upgrading to versions that address the unspecified vulnerability in the installer component. Organizations should implement strict access controls during installation phases, ensuring that only authorized personnel can perform Java installations on critical systems. The installation process should be monitored for unusual behavior or unauthorized modifications, with logging mechanisms in place to detect potential exploitation attempts. Security teams should consider implementing application whitelisting policies that prevent unauthorized Java installations from occurring in the first place, particularly in environments where Java is not required. Regular vulnerability assessments should include examination of installation processes and components, as these are often overlooked in traditional security scanning. System administrators should ensure that Java installations are performed with the minimum required privileges, and that the installation process itself is properly validated and verified before execution. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation, as well as maintaining up-to-date backups to facilitate recovery in case of compromise. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure installation processes and proper input validation during system setup phases, where traditional security controls may not be fully effective. Regular security training for system administrators should emphasize the risks associated with installation processes and the importance of maintaining secure installation environments.