CVE-2017-10114 in Java SE
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the Java SE component of Oracle Java SE (subcomponent: JavaFX). Supported versions that are affected are Java SE: 7u141 and 8u131. Difficult to exploit vulnerability allows unauthenticated attacker with network access via multiple protocols to compromise Java SE. Successful attacks require human interaction from a person other than the attacker and while the vulnerability is in Java SE, attacks may significantly impact additional products. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in takeover of Java SE. Note: This vulnerability applies to Java deployments, typically in clients running sandboxed Java Web Start applications or sandboxed Java applets, that load and run untrusted code (e.g., code that comes from the internet) and rely on the Java sandbox for security. This vulnerability does not apply to Java deployments, typically in servers, that load and run only trusted code (e.g., code installed by an administrator). CVSS 3.0 Base Score 8.3 (Confidentiality, Integrity and Availability impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/03/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-10114 resides within the Java SE component of Oracle Java SE, specifically within the JavaFX subcomponent that governs rich client application development. This flaw affects critical supported versions including Java SE 7u141 and Java SE 8u131, representing a significant security concern for organizations relying on these Java implementations. The vulnerability's classification as difficult to exploit indicates that while sophisticated attackers could potentially leverage it, the attack vector requires specific conditions and circumstances to be successfully executed. The security implications extend beyond the immediate Java SE environment, as successful exploitation can result in complete takeover of the Java SE runtime environment, making it a particularly dangerous vulnerability for client-side deployments.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation mechanisms within the JavaFX implementation that processes untrusted code in sandboxed environments. The flaw operates through multiple network protocols, allowing unauthenticated attackers to compromise Java SE deployments without requiring prior authentication or privileged access. The attack requires human interaction from users who are not the attackers themselves, typically manifesting when users execute sandboxed Java Web Start applications or applets that load code from untrusted sources. This interaction requirement makes the vulnerability more challenging to exploit at scale but does not eliminate its potential for targeted attacks. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond the immediate Java SE environment, potentially affecting additional products that rely on Java SE for their operation, creating a cascading security risk.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-10114 is substantial, as it can result in complete system compromise through the takeover of Java SE runtime environments. The CVSS 3.0 base score of 8.3 reflects the high severity of this vulnerability, with impacts across confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The vector (AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H) indicates that the attack requires network access with high attack complexity, no privilege requirements, and user interaction that could significantly affect the system. The vulnerability primarily affects client-side deployments where untrusted code is executed, particularly in environments using Java Web Start applications or applets that load content from the internet. This makes web-based attack scenarios particularly dangerous as they can leverage the trust model inherent in Java sandboxing mechanisms to execute malicious code with elevated privileges.
Organizations should implement comprehensive mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability, particularly focusing on the specific deployment scenarios where it poses the greatest risk. The recommended approach involves immediate patching of affected Java SE versions to the latest available updates, as Oracle would have released security fixes for this vulnerability. Additional mitigations include disabling Java applets and Web Start applications in web browsers, implementing network segmentation to limit exposure, and establishing strict policies for Java runtime environment management. The vulnerability's characteristics align with CWE-119 (Improper Access to Memory) and CWE-749 (Exposed Dangerous Method or Function) categories, indicating memory access violations and dangerous API exposure within the Java runtime. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and execution through sandbox bypass mechanisms, specifically targeting the Java sandbox security model to achieve unauthorized code execution. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies and monitoring for suspicious Java runtime activities to detect potential exploitation attempts.