CVE-2014-2398 in Java SE
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Oracle Java SE 5.0u61, 6u71, 7u51, and 8; JavaFX 2.2.51; and JRockit R27.8.1 and R28.3.1 allows remote authenticated users to affect integrity via unknown vectors related to Javadoc.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/11/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-2398 represents a significant security flaw within Oracle Java SE and related components that affects multiple versions including Java 5.0u61, 6u71, 7u51, and 8 along with JavaFX 2.2.51 and JRockit R27.8.1 and R28.3.1. This issue resides in the Javadoc processing functionality which serves as a documentation generation tool for Java applications. The vulnerability classification as unspecified indicates that the exact technical mechanism remains undisclosed, though it is categorized as affecting integrity rather than confidentiality or availability. The affected systems are particularly concerning given the widespread deployment of these Java versions across enterprise environments and the critical role Java applications play in business operations.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from the processing of Javadoc documentation within the Java runtime environment, where authenticated remote attackers can potentially manipulate or corrupt the integrity of system components. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of documentation processing flaws that can be exploited through carefully crafted input or manipulated documentation files. The fact that this affects multiple Java versions suggests a fundamental issue in the Javadoc parsing or processing logic that was present across various releases, making the remediation process more complex and requiring comprehensive patching across different Java implementations. The attack vector involving remote authenticated users indicates that exploitation requires legitimate credentials, which could be obtained through social engineering, credential theft, or other initial compromise techniques.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-2398 extends beyond simple integrity violations as it could potentially enable attackers to manipulate Java application behavior through corrupted documentation processing. This vulnerability could be particularly dangerous in environments where Java applications rely heavily on documentation generation or where Javadoc processing is integrated into automated build and deployment pipelines. The integrity compromise could manifest in various ways including the injection of malicious code into documentation artifacts, manipulation of build processes, or indirect exploitation of other vulnerabilities that might be triggered by corrupted documentation files. Organizations running these affected versions face significant risk as the vulnerability could be leveraged to undermine the trustworthiness of Java applications and their associated documentation systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of all affected Oracle Java SE versions and related components, with particular attention to JavaFX and JRockit implementations. System administrators should prioritize updating to the latest available patches from Oracle, which typically address the underlying Javadoc processing flaws through improved input validation and sanitization mechanisms. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of authenticated attacks, while monitoring for unusual documentation processing activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for application execution and potentially T1553.006 for credential access, making it important for security teams to monitor for related malicious activities. Given the nature of the vulnerability, organizations should also conduct thorough security assessments of their Java application environments to identify any potential indirect impacts from corrupted documentation processing.