CVE-2015-1931 in JDK
Summary
by MITRE • 09/29/2022
IBM Java Security Components in IBM SDK, Java Technology Edition 8 before SR1 FP10, 7 R1 before SR3 FP10, 7 before SR9 FP10, 6 R1 before SR8 FP7, 6 before SR16 FP7, and 5.0 before SR16 FP13 stores plaintext information in memory dumps, which allows local users to obtain sensitive information by reading a file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/29/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-1931 affects IBM Java Security Components within various versions of the IBM SDK, Java Technology Edition. This issue represents a critical information disclosure flaw that undermines the security posture of systems relying on these Java implementations. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of sensitive data during system memory operations, specifically when memory dumps are generated during system operation or crash scenarios. The flaw affects multiple major versions including Java 8, 7, 6, and 5.0, spanning numerous service releases and fix packs, indicating a widespread impact across the IBM Java ecosystem. According to CWE-200, this vulnerability falls under the category of Information Exposure, where sensitive information is unintentionally made available to unauthorized actors. The issue is particularly concerning as it allows local users to access plaintext sensitive information through memory dump files, which typically contain detailed system state information including potentially sensitive data structures and variables.
The technical mechanism behind this vulnerability involves the Java Virtual Machine's memory management system and its handling of security-related data structures during memory dump generation. When the JVM encounters a crash or system failure, it typically generates memory dump files to assist in debugging and forensic analysis. However, in affected IBM Java implementations, these memory dumps contain plaintext representations of sensitive information that should normally be protected or encrypted. This occurs because the memory dump process does not properly sanitize or encrypt sensitive data structures, variables, or objects that contain authentication credentials, session tokens, or other confidential information. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because memory dumps are often generated automatically during system failures and may be stored in locations accessible to local users, making the sensitive information readily available to any user with access to the system. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1005 where adversaries obtain data from local system memory through memory dumps and other forensic artifacts.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-1931 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates potential attack vectors for privilege escalation and credential theft. Local users who can access memory dump files can extract plaintext credentials, cryptographic keys, session identifiers, and other sensitive data that may be used for unauthorized access to systems, applications, or network resources. The vulnerability is particularly problematic in environments where multiple users share the same system or where system administrators may not properly secure memory dump directories. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to gain access to authentication tokens, database connection strings, API keys, or other confidential information that would otherwise be protected through proper security controls. The widespread nature of affected versions means that organizations running these Java implementations are at risk, regardless of whether they are using the latest service releases or older versions that have reached end-of-life support. This vulnerability significantly weakens the security model of affected systems and could enable attackers to move laterally within networks or escalate privileges to gain unauthorized access to sensitive resources.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-1931 primarily involve applying the vendor-provided security patches and updates to affected IBM Java implementations. Organizations should immediately upgrade to IBM SDK, Java Technology Edition versions that include the fix for this vulnerability, specifically targeting SR1 FP10 for Java 8, SR3 FP10 for Java 7 R1, SR9 FP10 for Java 7, SR8 FP7 for Java 6 R1, SR16 FP7 for Java 6, and SR16 FP13 for Java 5.0. System administrators should also implement proper access controls on memory dump directories and ensure that these files are stored in secure locations with restricted permissions. Additional mitigations include monitoring system memory dump generation and implementing automated processes to clean or encrypt sensitive data within dump files. Organizations should also consider implementing memory protection mechanisms and ensuring that system administrators are aware of the security implications of memory dump files. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure memory management practices and proper data sanitization during system failure scenarios, as outlined in security frameworks that emphasize protecting sensitive information throughout all system states including crash recovery processes.