CVE-2015-2621 in Java SE
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Oracle Java SE 6u95, 7u80, and 8u45, and Java SE Embedded 7u75 and 8u33, allows remote attackers to affect confidentiality via vectors related to JMX.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/02/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-2621 represents a critical security flaw within Oracle Java SE and Java SE Embedded platforms affecting multiple versions including Java SE 6u95, 7u80, 8u45, and Embedded versions 7u75 and 8u33. This weakness resides within the Java Management Extensions framework which provides management and monitoring capabilities for Java applications and the JVM itself. The unspecified nature of the vulnerability indicates that the exact technical mechanism remains undisclosed but is categorized as affecting confidentiality aspects of the system. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it enables remote attackers to exploit the JMX functionality without requiring local system access, making it a significant threat vector for unauthorized information disclosure.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the Java Management Extensions subsystem which is designed to provide management interfaces for Java applications and the JVM itself. Attackers can leverage this flaw to access sensitive information through JMX connections that should normally be restricted or properly authenticated. The JMX framework typically provides access to various management attributes, operations, and notifications that can reveal system configuration details, application state information, and potentially sensitive operational data. This vulnerability specifically impacts the confidentiality aspect of the security triad by allowing unauthorized access to information that should remain protected within the Java runtime environment.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates substantial risk for organizations running affected Java versions as it allows remote attackers to potentially extract confidential information from systems without requiring authentication or physical access. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure as the compromised JMX interfaces could provide attackers with insights into application architecture, system configurations, and operational details that could be leveraged for further attacks. Organizations utilizing Java applications with JMX enabled are particularly vulnerable, as attackers could exploit this weakness to gather intelligence about running services, memory usage patterns, thread information, and other operational metrics that could aid in subsequent exploitation attempts.
Security practitioners should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems as Oracle released updates addressing this vulnerability in their regular security updates. The mitigation strategy should include applying the latest Java SE patches and ensuring that JMX interfaces are properly configured with appropriate authentication and access controls. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to systems running JMX services and consider disabling JMX interfaces when not actively required for management purposes. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control in software systems, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059 which involves the execution of code through management interfaces. The remediation approach should follow standard vulnerability management procedures including risk assessment, patch deployment, and configuration hardening to prevent unauthorized access to management interfaces.
The broader implications of CVE-2015-2621 highlight the importance of maintaining current Java security patches and implementing proper access controls for management interfaces. Organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments to identify systems running vulnerable Java versions and ensure that JMX services are properly secured with strong authentication mechanisms. Regular vulnerability scanning and penetration testing should include assessment of Java management interfaces to detect potential misconfigurations that could lead to similar vulnerabilities. The attack surface for this vulnerability extends beyond individual systems to potentially impact entire enterprise networks where Java applications with JMX interfaces are deployed, making proactive mitigation essential for maintaining overall security posture.