CVE-2015-2613 in Java SE
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Oracle Java SE 7u80 and 8u45, and Java SE Embedded 7u75 and 8u33 allows remote attackers to affect confidentiality via vectors related to JCE.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/02/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-2613 represents a critical security flaw within Oracle Java SE and Java SE Embedded implementations that affects multiple versions including Java SE 7u80 and 8u45, along with Java SE Embedded 7u75 and 8u33. This issue falls under the broader category of cryptographic vulnerabilities that can compromise data confidentiality, making it particularly dangerous in environments where secure communications and data protection are paramount. The vulnerability specifically relates to the Java Cryptography Extension (JCE) framework, which is fundamental to Java's cryptographic capabilities and secure communication protocols.
The technical flaw manifests within the JCE implementation where improper handling of cryptographic operations creates opportunities for remote attackers to exploit weaknesses in the encryption and decryption processes. This vulnerability enables attackers to potentially access or manipulate encrypted data without proper authorization, undermining the fundamental security assurances that cryptographic systems are designed to provide. The unspecified nature of the exact vector suggests that the flaw may involve multiple aspects of the JCE framework including key management, algorithm implementation, or certificate validation processes. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-310, which covers cryptographic issues, and more specifically relates to weaknesses in cryptographic implementations that can lead to confidentiality breaches.
Operationally, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations relying on Java-based applications and services where data confidentiality is critical. Attackers could potentially intercept or modify encrypted communications, access sensitive information, or perform man-in-the-middle attacks against Java applications that depend on JCE for secure operations. The impact extends beyond simple data theft to potential system compromise, as cryptographic failures often serve as entry points for broader exploitation attempts. Organizations using affected Java versions may experience unauthorized data access, regulatory compliance violations, and potential financial losses due to compromised security. The remote nature of the attack vector means that exploitation can occur from any location without requiring physical access to the target systems, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for distributed applications and web services.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-2613 primarily involve immediate patching and updating of affected Java installations to the latest supported versions that contain fixes for the JCE-related vulnerabilities. Organizations should prioritize updating their Java environments and conduct thorough testing to ensure that patches do not introduce compatibility issues with existing applications. System administrators should also implement network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts and consider disabling unnecessary cryptographic features that may be vulnerable. The vulnerability's relationship to the ATT&CK framework's T1071.001 technique for application layer protocol tunneling highlights the importance of network segmentation and access controls. Additionally, organizations should review their cryptographic implementations and ensure that they follow industry best practices for key management and algorithm selection as outlined in NIST SP 800-57 and other relevant cryptographic standards. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be implemented to identify and remediate similar issues proactively.