CVE-2015-0491 in Java SE
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Oracle Java SE 5.0u81, 6u91, 7u76, and 8u40, and Java FX 2.2.76, allows remote attackers to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability via unknown vectors related to 2D, a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-0459.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/06/2022
This vulnerability resides within Oracle Java SE and JavaFX implementations, specifically affecting versions 5.0u81, 6u91, 7u76, and 8u40 along with JavaFX 2.2.76. The flaw manifests in the 2D graphics rendering subsystem, representing a critical security weakness that enables remote attackers to compromise system integrity. The vulnerability's classification as unspecified indicates that Oracle did not provide detailed technical specifics about the exact nature of the flaw, though it clearly relates to 2D graphics processing capabilities within the Java runtime environment. This issue operates independently from CVE-2015-0459, which suggests a separate code path or subsystem failure.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through remote attack vectors that can manipulate the Java 2D graphics pipeline, potentially allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause system instability. The impact spans all three fundamental security principles: confidentiality through potential data exposure, integrity via system corruption or code execution, and availability through denial of service or system crashes. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability can potentially gain unauthorized access to systems running affected Java versions, particularly when these systems process untrusted graphics content or are exposed to web-based attacks.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability presents significant risk to enterprise environments where Java applications are prevalent, particularly in web applications, desktop software, and server-side Java implementations. The remote exploit capability means that attackers can compromise systems without physical access, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments. The vulnerability affects multiple Java versions simultaneously, amplifying its potential impact across various deployment scenarios. Organizations running these specific Java versions face elevated risk of security breaches, data loss, and system compromise that could affect business continuity and regulatory compliance.
Security professionals should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems, as Oracle released updates addressing this vulnerability in subsequent Java releases. The mitigation strategy should include comprehensive system inventory to identify all affected Java installations, followed by deployment of the appropriate security patches. Network segmentation and application whitelisting can provide temporary defensive measures while patches are deployed. This vulnerability aligns with attack patterns documented in the attack mitigation framework, where 2D graphics processing exploits are categorized under privilege escalation and code execution techniques. Organizations should also implement monitoring for suspicious network traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly around graphics-related system calls and memory access violations that could indicate successful exploitation of this vulnerability.