CVE-2014-4266 in Java SE
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Oracle Java SE 7u60 and 8u5 allows remote attackers to affect integrity via unknown vectors related to Serviceability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/09/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-4266 represents a serviceability-related issue within Oracle Java SE versions 7u60 and 8u5, classified under the broader category of unspecified security flaws that impact system integrity. This vulnerability falls within the scope of Java's serviceability infrastructure, which encompasses the tools and mechanisms used for monitoring, debugging, and managing Java applications. The serviceability components are critical for system administrators and developers who rely on these features for application lifecycle management and performance monitoring.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from the way Oracle Java SE handles serviceability-related operations, particularly in versions 7u60 and 8u5 where the implementation contains a flaw that allows remote attackers to compromise system integrity. Serviceability features in Java include components such as jstat, jstack, jconsole, and other diagnostic tools that provide insights into JVM behavior and application performance. These components operate at a privileged level within the Java runtime environment and are designed to be accessible to authorized users for legitimate monitoring purposes. However, the vulnerability in question suggests that these serviceability mechanisms contain insufficient access controls or validation checks that could be exploited by remote adversaries.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability represents a significant concern for organizations running Java applications, particularly those exposed to untrusted network environments. The ability to affect integrity means that remote attackers could potentially modify or corrupt system data, manipulate application behavior, or compromise the reliability of serviceability information that is crucial for system monitoring and troubleshooting. The unspecified nature of the attack vectors indicates that the vulnerability may be exploitable through multiple pathways within the serviceability framework, making it particularly challenging to defend against. Organizations utilizing Oracle Java SE 7u60 and 8u5 versions face potential risks of unauthorized modification of system state information, which could lead to cascading failures or data corruption.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK framework techniques including T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and T1566 for phishing with a malicious attachment, as attackers might leverage serviceability features to gain deeper system access. The vulnerability also relates to CWE-200, which covers information exposure, and CWE-310, which addresses cryptographic issues, though the specific nature of the flaw appears to be more focused on serviceability mechanism integrity. Organizations should consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure to these serviceability features, while also applying the appropriate Oracle Java SE patches and updates as released to address this specific vulnerability. The remediation process requires careful evaluation of the serviceability features being used and ensuring that only authorized personnel have access to these potentially vulnerable components, particularly in production environments where system integrity is paramount.