CVE-2014-0422 in Java SE
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Oracle Java SE 5.0u55, 6u65, and 7u45; Java SE Embedded 7u45; and OpenJDK 7 allows remote attackers to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability via vectors related to JNDI. NOTE: the previous information is from the January 2014 CPU. Oracle has not commented on third-party claims that the issue is related to missing package access checks in the Naming / JNDI component, which allows attackers to escape the sandbox.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/06/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-0422 represents a critical security flaw within Oracle Java SE and OpenJDK implementations that affects multiple version ranges including Java SE 5.0u55, 6u65, 7u45, Java SE Embedded 7u45, and OpenJDK 7. This vulnerability resides within the Naming and JNDI (Java Naming and Directory Interface) component of the Java platform, specifically targeting the package access controls that govern how different components interact within the Java Virtual Machine sandbox environment. The flaw enables remote attackers to exploit missing package access checks that should normally prevent unauthorized code execution and data manipulation across security boundaries. This issue falls under the broader category of sandbox escape vulnerabilities that have significant implications for Java-based applications and systems.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation mechanisms within the JNDI naming service implementation that fails to properly enforce package access restrictions. When Java applications attempt to perform naming operations or access directory services through JNDI, the system should verify that the requesting code has appropriate permissions to access specific packages or resources. However, the vulnerability allows malicious actors to bypass these critical access controls, potentially enabling them to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges or access sensitive system resources. The weakness manifests as a failure in the Java security manager's enforcement of package access restrictions, creating an avenue for attackers to circumvent the sandbox protections that normally isolate untrusted code from critical system functions.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses severe risks to organizations running Java applications, particularly those deployed in environments where untrusted code execution is possible. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to compromise the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of affected systems by escaping the Java sandbox environment through JNDI operations. The potential attack vectors include remote code execution, data theft, system modification, and service disruption. Organizations using Java-based web applications, enterprise systems, or any platform that relies on JNDI for directory services are particularly vulnerable, as the flaw can be exploited through network-based attacks without requiring local system access. The January 2014 Critical Patch Update from Oracle addressed this issue, but many systems remained vulnerable due to delayed patching or legacy deployments that were not updated.
Security mitigations for CVE-2014-0422 primarily involve applying the official patches released by Oracle and OpenJDK maintainers, which correct the missing package access checks in the JNDI implementation. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and firewall rules to restrict access to Java applications that utilize JNDI services, particularly when these applications are exposed to untrusted networks. Additionally, administrators should disable unnecessary JNDI functionality and implement strict Java security policies that limit the capabilities of untrusted code. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) and represents a classic sandbox escape scenario that can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1055 (Process Injection) and T1068 (Local Port Forwarding) when exploited in enterprise environments. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify systems running affected Java versions and prioritize patch deployment to prevent exploitation attempts that could lead to full system compromise and data breaches.