CVE-2015-4835 in Java SE
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Oracle Java SE 6u101, 7u85, and 8u60, and Java SE Embedded 8u51, allows remote attackers to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability via vectors related to CORBA, a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-4881.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/23/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-4835 represents a significant security flaw within Oracle Java SE and Java SE Embedded platforms affecting multiple version releases. This issue resides within the CORBA (Common Object Request Broker Architecture) component of the Java runtime environment, making it particularly concerning given CORBA's role in distributed object communication and its widespread use in enterprise applications. The vulnerability's classification as unspecified indicates that Oracle did not provide detailed technical specifics about the exact nature of the flaw during the initial disclosure, though it was confirmed to be distinct from the closely related CVE-2015-4881 vulnerability.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from weaknesses in how the Java Virtual Machine processes CORBA-related requests and communications. CORBA serves as a middleware standard that enables objects written in different programming languages and running on different platforms to communicate seamlessly. Within the Java SE environment, CORBA functionality is implemented through the Java IDL (Interface Definition Language) and the Java Remote Method Invocation (RMI) protocols. The flaw likely manifests in improper input validation, memory handling, or object reference management within these CORBA processing components, potentially allowing attackers to exploit memory corruption issues or injection vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-4835 extends across all three fundamental security principles: confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability could potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive data processed through CORBA-enabled applications, modify critical system information, or disrupt service availability through denial-of-service attacks. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers do not require physical access to target systems, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in networked environments where Java applications are deployed. Organizations running Java applications that utilize CORBA functionality face significant risk of data breaches, system compromise, and service disruption.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-4835 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems with Oracle's official security updates. Organizations must ensure comprehensive testing of patches in development environments before deployment to avoid disrupting critical business applications. The vulnerability's presence in multiple Java SE versions including Java SE 6u101, 7u85, 8u60, and Java SE Embedded 8u51 requires coordinated patch management across all affected platforms. Security teams should also consider implementing network segmentation and firewall rules to limit access to Java applications that utilize CORBA functionality, particularly when such applications are exposed to untrusted networks. Additionally, monitoring for anomalous network traffic patterns and unusual system behavior can help detect potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-119 which addresses weaknesses in memory management and buffer overflow conditions, and may map to ATT&CK techniques involving privilege escalation and defense evasion through exploitation of Java runtime vulnerabilities. Organizations should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all Java applications and services that rely on CORBA functionality, ensuring comprehensive remediation across their entire technology stack.