CVE-2015-4881 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-2015-4835.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/23/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-4881 represents a critical security flaw within Oracle Java SE and Java SE Embedded platforms, specifically affecting versions 6u101, 7u85, 8u60, and 8u51. This issue falls under the category of unspecified vulnerabilities that impact the core Java runtime environment, creating potential attack vectors that could compromise system integrity and security posture. The vulnerability specifically relates to the CORBA (Common Object Request Broker Architecture) component within the Java platform, which serves as a middleware for distributed object communication and interoperability.
The technical flaw manifests within the CORBA implementation of Oracle Java SE, where attackers can exploit weaknesses in the object request broker functionality to execute remote code or manipulate system resources. This vulnerability operates through a different attack surface than CVE-2015-4835, indicating that multiple distinct pathways exist for compromising the Java runtime environment. The CORBA subsystem handles distributed computing operations and object communication across network boundaries, making it a prime target for remote exploitation. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability can potentially manipulate object references, cause denial of service conditions, or even execute arbitrary code within the Java Virtual Machine context, depending on the specific exploitation techniques employed.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-4881 extends beyond simple availability concerns, as it affects all three fundamental security principles: confidentiality, integrity, and availability. This triadic compromise means that adversaries could potentially access sensitive data through confidentiality breaches, modify system data or configurations through integrity violations, and disrupt services through availability attacks. Systems running affected Java versions become vulnerable to sophisticated attacks that could lead to complete system compromise, particularly in enterprise environments where Java applications handle sensitive business data and process critical operations. The distributed nature of CORBA components makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can propagate across network boundaries and affect multiple interconnected systems simultaneously.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including applying the latest Oracle security patches and updates to address this vulnerability. The recommended approach involves upgrading to patched versions of Oracle Java SE and Java SE Embedded, which contain fixes specifically designed to address the CORBA-related security flaws. System administrators should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of Java applications to untrusted networks. Additionally, monitoring and logging mechanisms should be enhanced to detect potential exploitation attempts targeting the CORBA subsystem. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and CWE-242 for use of potentially dangerous function, as it allows for potentially dangerous object manipulation within the Java runtime environment. Organizations should also review their Java application deployment configurations to minimize the attack surface and consider implementing Java security policies that restrict CORBA functionality where it is not essential for application operations.