CVE-2014-2414 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, integrity, and availability via vectors related to JAXB.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/11/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-2414 represents a critical security flaw within Oracle Java SE and Java SE Embedded platforms affecting multiple versions including Java SE 6u71 7u51 and 8 and Java SE Embedded 7u51. This unspecified vulnerability resides within the Java Architecture for XML Binding (JAXB) component which serves as a core framework for processing XML data within Java applications. The affected JAXB implementation processes XML documents and converts them into Java objects enabling seamless data exchange between applications and databases. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation mechanisms within the XML processing pipeline that fails to properly sanitize incoming XML payloads before parsing and object construction.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through maliciously crafted XML documents that leverage the deserialization process within JAXB. Attackers can construct specially formatted XML inputs that trigger unexpected behavior during the unmarshalling phase when Java objects are reconstructed from XML data. This flaw allows adversaries to manipulate the parsing process and potentially execute arbitrary code on the target system. The vulnerability's impact spans all three fundamental security principles as outlined in the CIA triad - confidentiality through potential data exfiltration, integrity by enabling modification of application data, and availability by potentially causing system crashes or denial of service conditions. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it operates over network connections allowing remote exploitation without requiring local system access.
From an operational perspective this vulnerability presents significant risks to organizations deploying Java applications that process external XML data. The affected versions include widely used Java runtime environments that power countless enterprise applications web services and middleware solutions. The vulnerability can be exploited through various attack scenarios including web application penetration testing, man-in-the-middle attacks, or by compromising web services that accept XML input from untrusted sources. Security researchers have identified that the flaw can be leveraged to bypass security restrictions within the Java sandbox environment and potentially escalate privileges. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-20 Improper Input Validation which falls under the broader category of software weaknesses that enable injection attacks.
The attack patterns associated with CVE-2014-2414 follow established methodologies documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework particularly within the execution and privilege escalation domains. Adversaries typically begin by crafting malicious XML payloads that exploit the JAXB deserialization mechanism and then deliver these payloads through web applications or APIs that process XML data. The exploitation process often involves creating XML documents containing malicious class references that trigger code execution when parsed by the vulnerable JAXB implementation. Organizations utilizing Java-based systems that process external XML data from untrusted sources face the highest risk of exploitation. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple Java versions and editions complicates remediation efforts requiring comprehensive patch management across all affected systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability focus on immediate patch deployment through Oracle's security updates and Java runtime updates. Organizations should implement network segmentation and firewall rules to limit access to systems processing external XML data. Input validation mechanisms should be strengthened to filter and sanitize XML content before processing. The implementation of secure coding practices including the use of safe XML parsing libraries and avoiding dangerous deserialization patterns provides additional protective layers. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual XML processing patterns and anomalous network traffic that may indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should target Java applications that utilize JAXB components to identify potential exposure points. The recommended approach involves comprehensive system hardening including disabling unnecessary XML processing features and implementing proper access controls around XML data handling components.