CVE-2016-3508 in Java SE
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Oracle Java SE 6u115, 7u101, and 8u92; Java SE Embedded 8u91; and JRockit R28.3.10 allows remote attackers to affect availability via vectors related to JAXP, a different vulnerability than CVE-2016-3500.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/08/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-3508 represents a significant security flaw within Oracle Java SE and Java SE Embedded platforms affecting multiple versions including Java SE 6u115, 7u101, 8u92, Java SE Embedded 8u91, and JRockit R28.3.10. This issue falls under the broader category of availability impact vulnerabilities, specifically targeting the Java XML Processing framework known as JAXP. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows remote attackers to compromise system availability without requiring authentication or specialized privileges, making it an attractive target for denial of service attacks. The flaw manifests through unspecified vectors related to JAXP processing, which forms a critical component of Java's XML handling capabilities and is widely used across enterprise applications and web services.
From a technical perspective, the vulnerability resides within the JAXP implementation that processes XML documents and schemas within the Java runtime environment. JAXP serves as the standard Java API for processing XML documents and provides the foundation for XML parsing, transformation, and validation operations. When an attacker crafts malicious XML content or exploits specific processing paths within the JAXP framework, the vulnerability can trigger unexpected behavior that leads to system instability or complete service disruption. This type of vulnerability typically involves memory corruption, infinite loops, or resource exhaustion conditions that can be exploited through carefully constructed inputs. The fact that this vulnerability is distinct from CVE-2016-3500 indicates that it operates through different code paths or processing mechanisms within the JAXP implementation, suggesting multiple attack surfaces within the XML processing pipeline.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-3508 extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise entire enterprise systems that rely heavily on Java-based applications and web services. Organizations running applications that utilize JAXP for XML processing are at risk of experiencing unavailability during attacks, which can result in significant business disruption, financial losses, and damage to reputation. The remote nature of the attack vector means that adversaries can exploit this vulnerability from anywhere on the network, without requiring physical access or local privileges, making it particularly dangerous in environments where Java applications are exposed to external traffic. The vulnerability affects systems across multiple Java versions, indicating that organizations may need to apply patches across their entire Java ecosystem rather than focusing on specific versions, complicating the remediation process and increasing the operational burden.
Security professionals should recognize this vulnerability as aligning with several ATT&CK framework techniques including T1499.004 for Network Denial of Service and T1566.001 for Phishing, as attackers may use this vulnerability to disrupt services or gain initial access through malicious XML content. The vulnerability also corresponds to CWE-400, which describes Uncontrolled Resource Consumption, indicating that the flaw allows for resource exhaustion that can lead to system instability. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the latest Oracle security patches, implementing network segmentation to limit exposure, and monitoring for suspicious XML processing activities. Additionally, defensive measures such as input validation, XML schema restrictions, and application firewalls can help reduce the attack surface and provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining current security patches and implementing comprehensive vulnerability management processes to protect against similar issues in the future.