CVE-2017-10388 in Java SE
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the Java SE, Java SE Embedded component of Oracle Java SE (subcomponent: Libraries). Supported versions that are affected are Java SE: 6u161, 7u151, 8u144 and 9; Java SE Embedded: 8u144. Difficult to exploit vulnerability allows unauthenticated attacker with network access via Kerberos to compromise Java SE, Java SE Embedded. Successful attacks require human interaction from a person other than the attacker. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in takeover of Java SE, Java SE Embedded. Note: Applies to the Java SE Kerberos client. CVSS 3.0 Base Score 7.5 (Confidentiality, Integrity and Availability impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/18/2021
This vulnerability resides within the Java SE and Java SE Embedded implementations, specifically targeting the Kerberos client libraries that handle authentication protocols. The flaw exists in versions 6u161, 7u151, 8u144, and 9 for Java SE, along with 8u144 for Java SE Embedded, representing a critical security weakness in the authentication framework. The vulnerability operates at the network level and requires Kerberos protocol interaction, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where Kerberos is commonly deployed for single sign-on solutions. The CVSS 3.0 score of 7.5 indicates high severity across all impact vectors including confidentiality, integrity, and availability, demonstrating the potential for comprehensive system compromise.
The technical nature of this vulnerability involves a flaw in how Java SE processes Kerberos authentication messages, allowing an unauthenticated remote attacker to exploit the system through network connections. The attack requires human interaction from a legitimate user, meaning that while the vulnerability itself is difficult to exploit directly, it becomes more accessible when users perform routine authentication tasks that trigger the vulnerable code path. This interaction requirement places the vulnerability in the context of social engineering attacks where attackers manipulate users into performing actions that trigger the exploit. The underlying flaw typically involves improper validation or handling of Kerberos tickets or authentication data structures that could lead to code execution or authentication bypass.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data compromise, as successful exploitation can result in complete takeover of affected Java SE systems. This represents a significant threat to enterprise environments where Java applications are deployed, particularly in scenarios involving web applications, enterprise servers, or any system running Java with Kerberos authentication enabled. The vulnerability affects systems that rely on Kerberos for authentication, which is common in Active Directory environments, enterprise applications, and distributed systems where secure authentication is paramount. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to sensitive enterprise resources, potentially leading to data breaches, system compromise, or further lateral movement within network infrastructure.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying Oracle's security patches for the affected Java versions, disabling Kerberos authentication where possible, and implementing network segmentation to limit exposure. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-20 (Improper Input Validation) and potentially CWE-119 (Improper Access Control) in its exploitation patterns, representing a classic case of insufficient validation of authentication data. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1078 (Valid Accounts) and T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) as attackers would likely use the compromised system to establish persistence and execute additional malicious commands. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual Kerberos traffic patterns, and access controls should be reviewed to ensure that only authorized systems can initiate Kerberos authentication requests. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of patched systems to ensure that the vulnerability is fully addressed without introducing compatibility issues in existing Java applications.