CVE-2017-3544 in Java SE
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the Java SE, Java SE Embedded, JRockit component of Oracle Java SE (subcomponent: Networking). Supported versions that are affected are Java SE: 6u141, 7u131 and 8u121; Java SE Embedded: 8u121; JRockit: R28.3.13. Difficult to exploit vulnerability allows unauthenticated attacker with network access via SMTP to compromise Java SE, Java SE Embedded, JRockit. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in unauthorized update, insert or delete access to some of Java SE, Java SE Embedded, JRockit accessible data. Note: Applies to client and server deployment of Java. This vulnerability can be exploited through sandboxed Java Web Start applications and sandboxed Java applets. It can also be exploited by supplying data to APIs in the specified Component without using sandboxed Java Web Start applications or sandboxed Java applets, such as through a web service. CVSS 3.0 Base Score 3.7 (Integrity impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/20/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-3544 represents a significant security flaw within Oracle Java SE and JRockit components, specifically within the networking subsystem. This issue affects multiple Java versions including Java SE 6u141, 7u131, and 8u121, Java SE Embedded 8u121, and JRockit R28.3.13, making it a widespread concern across various deployment scenarios. The vulnerability manifests in the form of an integrity impact, allowing attackers to perform unauthorized data modifications through network-based SMTP access without requiring authentication. This represents a critical weakness in Java's security architecture, particularly concerning how it handles network communications and data processing within its networking stack.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through network-based SMTP protocols, creating a pathway for attackers to compromise Java applications regardless of whether they are client or server deployments. The flaw's difficulty level of exploitation suggests it requires specific conditions to be met, but once triggered, it can result in unauthorized modification of data within the affected Java components. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond traditional sandboxed applications, as it can be exploited through Java Web Start applications and applets, but also through direct API interactions without sandbox restrictions. This dual exploitation capability significantly broadens the attack surface and makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where Java applications are extensively deployed.
The operational implications of CVE-2017-3544 are substantial, as successful exploitation can lead to unauthorized data modification operations including insert, update, and delete actions against Java-accessible data repositories. The CVSS 3.0 base score of 3.7 indicates a moderate severity level, but the potential for data integrity compromise makes this vulnerability particularly concerning for systems handling sensitive information. The vulnerability's applicability to both client and server deployments means that organizations cannot simply isolate the risk to specific application types, requiring comprehensive security assessments across all Java-based systems. This vulnerability directly relates to CWE-20, which addresses "Improper Input Validation," and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript" when exploited through web services or API interactions.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying Oracle's security patches for the affected Java versions, disabling unnecessary SMTP functionality where possible, and implementing network segmentation to limit access to Java applications. The vulnerability's exploitation through both sandboxed and non-sandboxed environments necessitates comprehensive monitoring of network traffic and API usage patterns to detect potential exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies and restricting Java's network access capabilities to minimize the attack surface. Given that this vulnerability can be exploited through web services and APIs without sandbox restrictions, organizations must ensure their web service implementations properly validate and sanitize input data, particularly when dealing with SMTP-related communications and network-based data processing operations.