CVE-2016-0466 in Java SE
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the Java SE, Java SE Embedded, and JRockit components in Oracle Java SE 6u105, 7u91, and 8u66; Java SE Embedded 8u65; and JRockit R28.3.8 allows remote attackers to affect availability via vectors related to JAXP.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/05/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-0466 represents a significant availability risk within Oracle's Java platform ecosystem affecting multiple Java SE versions and the JRockit runtime environment. This weakness resides in the Java XML Processing (JAXP) component which is fundamental to XML document handling and processing within Java applications. The unspecified nature of the vulnerability description indicates that the exact technical flaw has not been publicly disclosed in detail, but the impact is clearly defined as affecting system availability rather than confidentiality or integrity. The affected versions include Java SE 6u105, 7u91, and 8u66, along with Java SE Embedded 8u65 and JRockit R28.3.8, demonstrating the widespread scope of this vulnerability across different Java implementations and version lines. This cross-platform impact suggests the flaw is deeply embedded within the core XML processing libraries that are utilized across various Java deployments.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through remote attack vectors related to JAXP processing, which means that malicious actors can potentially disrupt services without requiring local access or authentication. This characteristic places the vulnerability in the category of remote code execution risks that specifically target system availability, often manifesting through denial-of-service conditions. The JAXP component handles XML parsing and processing operations that are extensively used in web services, enterprise applications, and various networked systems. When exploited, the vulnerability can cause Java applications to crash, hang, or become unresponsive, effectively rendering the targeted services unavailable to legitimate users. The attack surface is particularly broad given that XML processing is a common operation in web applications, web services, and enterprise systems that rely on Java for their backend operations.
From an operational perspective, the impact of CVE-2016-0466 extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially affecting business continuity and system reliability across enterprise environments. Organizations running Java-based applications that process XML data are particularly vulnerable, as the exploitation can occur through standard network communication channels when applications parse external XML content. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK techniques related to service disruption and availability attacks, specifically targeting the availability aspect of the CIA triad. The vulnerability's classification under CWE categories related to XML processing and input validation issues indicates that it likely involves improper handling of malformed or specially crafted XML data that can trigger memory corruption, infinite loops, or resource exhaustion conditions. Organizations that rely on Java applications for critical business functions face significant operational risks when this vulnerability exists in their environment, as it can be exploited by attackers to perform targeted denial-of-service attacks against their systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-0466 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Java versions to ensure that organizations are protected against potential exploitation. The vulnerability requires careful monitoring and validation of XML input processing within Java applications, particularly in environments where external XML data sources are consumed. Security teams should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of vulnerable Java applications to untrusted networks. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing application-level protections such as XML schema validation, input sanitization, and resource limiting controls to reduce the impact if exploitation occurs. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of patched environments to ensure that the vulnerability is properly addressed without introducing compatibility issues with existing applications. Regular vulnerability assessments and security monitoring should be maintained to identify similar vulnerabilities in other Java components and to ensure that defensive measures remain effective against evolving attack techniques that may target XML processing functionality.