CVE-2014-2483 in Java SE
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the Java SE component in Oracle Java SE Java SE 7u60 and OpenJDK 7 allows remote attackers to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability via unknown vectors related to Libraries, a different vulnerability than CVE-2014-4223. NOTE: the previous information is from the July 2014 CPU. Oracle has not commented on another vendor's claim that the issue is related to improper restriction of the "use of privileged annotations."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/09/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-2483 represents a significant security flaw within the Java SE component of Oracle's Java Runtime Environment version 7u60 and corresponding OpenJDK 7 implementations. This issue falls under the broader category of Java security vulnerabilities that can be exploited by remote attackers to compromise system integrity and availability. The vulnerability is classified as unspecified, indicating that the exact technical details were not fully disclosed in the initial reporting, though it was noted to be distinct from CVE-2014-4223 which addresses different attack vectors. The affected Java SE 7u60 version represents a critical component in enterprise environments where Java applications are extensively deployed, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations relying on the platform.
The technical nature of CVE-2014-2483 is rooted in the Libraries component of Java SE, which suggests the flaw exists within the core library functions that Java applications depend upon for system operations. This vulnerability specifically relates to improper restriction of privileged annotations, a classification that aligns with common security weaknesses found in Java runtime environments. The improper restriction of annotations typically involves scenarios where the Java security manager fails to properly validate or restrict access to privileged operations that should be limited to trusted code contexts. Such issues often manifest through class loading mechanisms, reflection APIs, or annotation processing that bypasses normal security boundaries. The vulnerability's relationship to privileged annotations indicates that attackers could potentially exploit the Java security model to execute unauthorized operations that should normally be restricted.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a substantial risk to enterprise environments where Java applications are deployed across multiple systems and networks. The unspecified nature of the attack vectors means that the vulnerability could potentially be exploited through various methods, including but not limited to remote code execution, privilege escalation, or denial of service conditions. The impact spans all three core security principles: confidentiality through potential data leakage or unauthorized access to system resources, integrity through possible modification of system state or application behavior, and availability through potential disruption of services or system functionality. Organizations utilizing Java SE 7u60 in production environments would face significant risk exposure, particularly those with internet-facing applications or systems that process untrusted data inputs. The vulnerability's classification as a library-related issue suggests that it could affect a wide range of applications that depend on the underlying Java libraries, potentially creating cascading effects across multiple systems.
The security implications of CVE-2014-2483 extend beyond immediate exploitation capabilities to encompass long-term system integrity concerns. The improper restriction of privileged annotations represents a fundamental flaw in the Java security model that could allow attackers to bypass security controls designed to protect against malicious code execution. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at a low level within the Java runtime environment, potentially affecting all applications running on the vulnerable platform. The attack surface is broad as it impacts not just individual applications but the entire Java runtime infrastructure that supports enterprise applications. Organizations should consider implementing additional security controls such as network segmentation, application whitelisting, and regular security monitoring to mitigate potential exploitation attempts while awaiting official patches or updates from Oracle.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-2483 should focus on immediate protective measures while planning for comprehensive system updates. Organizations should prioritize updating to the latest available Java SE 7u60 patch release or upgrading to a more recent Java version that addresses this vulnerability. The mitigation approach should also include implementing additional runtime security controls such as enhanced Java security policy configurations, disabling unnecessary Java applet functionality, and monitoring for suspicious activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider deploying intrusion detection systems that can identify potential exploitation attempts targeting Java vulnerabilities. The vulnerability's classification under the broader Java security framework suggests that organizations should review their overall Java security posture, including code review processes, application deployment practices, and runtime environment configurations to prevent exploitation. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be implemented to identify similar issues that may exist within the Java ecosystem, particularly focusing on annotation processing and privilege management components that could be susceptible to similar flaws.
This vulnerability aligns with several Common Weakness Enumeration categories including CWE-264, which addresses permissions, privileges, and access controls, and CWE-345, which covers insufficient verification of data authenticity. The ATT&CK framework would categorize this vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting the Java runtime environment and its security model. The vulnerability's impact on the Java Libraries component also relates to the broader category of software supply chain attacks where flaws in core system components can compromise entire application ecosystems. Organizations should consider this vulnerability as part of a comprehensive Java security strategy that includes regular patch management, security configuration reviews, and ongoing monitoring for similar security issues within their Java-based infrastructure.