CVE-2014-0387 in Java SE
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Oracle Java SE 6u65 and Java SE 7u45, when running on Firefox, allows remote attackers to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability via unknown vectors related to Deployment.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/06/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-0387 represents a critical security flaw within Oracle Java SE versions 6u65 and 7u45 when executed in Firefox browser environments. This issue falls under the broader category of deployment-related vulnerabilities that specifically target the Java Runtime Environment's interaction with web browsers. The vulnerability's classification as unspecified indicates that Oracle did not provide detailed technical information about the exact nature of the flaw during the initial disclosure, which is common with certain types of memory corruption or execution-related issues. The affected configuration specifically highlights the combination of Oracle Java SE with Firefox browser, suggesting that the vulnerability may exploit browser-specific behaviors or integration points between the Java plugin and Firefox's security model. This particular attack vector demonstrates the inherent risks associated with browser-based Java applets and the complex security boundaries that exist between browser sandboxes and Java runtime environments.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability appears to stem from improper handling of deployment-related components within the Java Runtime Environment when integrated with Firefox. According to industry standards and similar vulnerabilities, this type of flaw typically involves memory corruption issues, buffer overflows, or improper input validation that allows malicious code execution. The deployment context suggests that the vulnerability may be triggered through malicious web content that leverages the Java plugin's capabilities within Firefox's browsing environment. This could involve exploitation of the Java Deployment Toolkit or related components that manage how Java applets are downloaded and executed within web pages. The unspecified nature of the vector indicates that the underlying flaw likely involves complex interactions between Firefox's JavaScript engine, Java's security model, and the deployment mechanisms that handle applet loading and execution. Such vulnerabilities often map to CWE-119 (Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer) or similar memory safety issues that can lead to arbitrary code execution or privilege escalation.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-0387 extends beyond simple confidentiality breaches to encompass all three core security principles as defined by the CIA triad. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive data, modify system configurations, or disrupt service availability through various attack vectors. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation does not require physical access to the target system, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users frequently browse the internet and interact with potentially malicious web content. Organizations running affected Java versions in Firefox environments face significant risk of data breaches, system compromise, or denial of service attacks. The vulnerability's presence in both Java SE 6 and 7 versions indicates a widespread impact across multiple Java runtime versions, suggesting that the underlying flaw is in fundamental deployment components rather than specific features. This widespread impact aligns with ATT&CK framework techniques such as T1203 (Exploitation for Client Execution) and T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter), where attackers leverage browser-based Java applets to establish malicious execution environments.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action from system administrators and security teams. The most effective approach involves updating to patched versions of Oracle Java SE, specifically Java SE 6u67, 7u51, or later versions that contain fixes for this deployment-related vulnerability. Organizations should implement browser security policies that disable Java plugin execution or restrict it to trusted sites only, as recommended by security frameworks like NIST SP 800-171. The Firefox browser itself should be kept up to date with the latest security patches, as browser updates often address compatibility issues and security gaps that could be exploited in conjunction with Java vulnerabilities. Network-level mitigations such as firewall rules that restrict access to Java-related ports or content filtering systems that block suspicious Java applet downloads can provide additional protection layers. Security monitoring should focus on detecting unusual Java plugin behavior or attempts to load unsigned applets from untrusted sources. Regular vulnerability scanning and penetration testing should include checks for outdated Java installations in Firefox environments, as this vulnerability often remains undetected until exploitation occurs. The remediation process should also include user education about the risks of running untrusted Java content and the importance of keeping software updated. Organizations should consider implementing application whitelisting policies that prevent execution of Java applets unless explicitly authorized by security policies, which aligns with the principle of least privilege and helps reduce the attack surface for deployment-related vulnerabilities.