CVE-2014-2403 in Java SE
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Oracle Java SE 6u71, 7u51, and 8, and Java SE Embedded 7u51, allows remote attackers to affect confidentiality via vectors related to JAXP.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/11/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-2403 represents a significant security weakness within Oracle Java SE and Java SE Embedded platforms affecting multiple versions including Java SE 6u71 7u51 and 8 along with Java SE Embedded 7u51. This unspecified flaw resides within the Java XML Processing API known as JAXP which is fundamental to XML parsing operations within Java applications. The vulnerability classification places it under the broader category of security issues that can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication or user interaction, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where Java applications process untrusted XML data from various sources.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of XML documents within the JAXP implementation which could potentially allow attackers to manipulate XML parsing behavior in ways that compromise data confidentiality. The JAXP framework serves as a bridge between Java applications and XML processing capabilities, and when flawed in this manner it creates opportunities for attackers to extract sensitive information or manipulate data flows. This type of vulnerability typically involves issues related to XML external entity processing or improper input validation during XML document parsing operations. The flaw operates at the core XML processing layer where maliciously crafted XML content could trigger unexpected behavior in the Java runtime environment. Security researchers have identified that this vulnerability specifically relates to how JAXP handles certain XML constructs and could potentially be exploited to access confidential information through XML processing mechanisms.
From an operational perspective this vulnerability poses substantial risk to organizations running affected Java versions as it enables remote attackers to compromise confidentiality of data processed through XML parsing operations. The impact extends beyond simple data exposure to potentially allow for more sophisticated attacks including information leakage from internal systems or manipulation of XML-based services. Organizations utilizing Java applications that process external XML data such as web services, XML-based configuration files, or document processing systems are particularly vulnerable. The remote exploit capability means that attackers can target these systems from outside the network perimeter without requiring physical access or prior authentication. This vulnerability particularly affects environments where Java applications handle XML content from untrusted sources including web applications, enterprise integration systems, and any platform that relies on XML processing for data exchange.
Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected Java installations to address this vulnerability as it represents a critical security risk. The recommended mitigation strategy involves upgrading to patched versions of Oracle Java SE and Java SE Embedded that contain fixes for the JAXP processing flaws. System administrators should conduct comprehensive inventory assessments to identify all affected systems running vulnerable Java versions and prioritize remediation efforts accordingly. Additionally implementing network segmentation and firewall rules to limit access to Java applications that process XML data can provide additional defense-in-depth measures. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual XML processing patterns or attempts to exploit this vulnerability. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-20 which describes improper input validation and may map to ATT&CK techniques related to data extraction and privilege escalation through application vulnerabilities. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be implemented to identify similar weaknesses in other Java components and ensure comprehensive protection against similar XML processing vulnerabilities.
This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date Java runtime environments and highlights the risks associated with using older versions of enterprise software. The remote nature of the exploit makes it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by attackers without requiring any special privileges or physical access to target systems. Organizations should establish robust patch management processes specifically designed to address Java security updates and ensure that all Java-based applications are regularly updated with the latest security patches from Oracle. The incident underscores the necessity of comprehensive security awareness training for developers and system administrators regarding the potential risks of XML processing and the importance of secure coding practices when handling external data inputs.