CVE-2018-2599 in Java SE
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the Java SE, Java SE Embedded, JRockit component of Oracle Java SE (subcomponent: JNDI). Supported versions that are affected are Java SE: 6u171, 7u161, 8u152 and 9.0.1; Java SE Embedded: 8u151; JRockit: R28.3.16. Difficult to exploit vulnerability allows unauthenticated attacker with network access via multiple protocols 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 and unauthorized ability to cause a partial denial of service (partial DOS) of Java SE, Java SE Embedded, JRockit. Note: This vulnerability 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 4.8 (Integrity and Availability impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:L).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/31/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-2599 resides within the Java Naming and Directory Interface (JNDI) component of Oracle Java SE and JRockit runtime environments, representing a critical security flaw that affects multiple Java versions including 6u171, 7u161, 8u152, 9.0.1, and JRockit R28.3.16. This vulnerability operates at the core of Java's directory services infrastructure, specifically targeting the JNDI subsystem that enables applications to access naming and directory services through a unified interface. The flaw manifests as a difficult-to-exploit weakness that can be leveraged by unauthenticated attackers possessing network access through various protocols to compromise affected Java deployments. The vulnerability's impact extends across both client and server environments, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited in diverse deployment scenarios without requiring authentication or specialized privileges.
The technical nature of this vulnerability involves a weakness in how JNDI processes directory service requests, creating potential pathways for unauthorized data manipulation and service disruption. Attackers can exploit this flaw to gain unauthorized update, insert, or delete access to data accessible through the affected Java components, while simultaneously creating partial denial of service conditions that can compromise system availability. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-20 indicates a weakness in the design or implementation of the JNDI component's input validation mechanisms, allowing malicious data to be processed through the directory service interface. This weakness is particularly concerning as it can be exploited through multiple vectors including sandboxed Java Web Start applications and applets, demonstrating the broad attack surface available to threat actors.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-2599 extends beyond simple data integrity concerns to encompass significant availability risks that can affect enterprise systems running affected Java versions. The partial denial of service condition can disrupt business-critical applications that depend on Java-based services, while the unauthorized data modification capabilities can lead to data corruption or unauthorized access to sensitive information. The CVSS 3.0 score of 4.8 reflects the balanced impact across integrity and availability domains, with the attack vector being network-based and requiring high complexity to exploit. This vulnerability can be particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where Java applications form the backbone of business operations, as successful exploitation can lead to cascading failures across interconnected systems. The vulnerability's applicability to both client and server deployments means that organizations must consider comprehensive mitigation strategies across their entire Java ecosystem.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should encompass multiple layers of protection including immediate patching of affected Java versions to the latest security updates provided by Oracle, which addresses the underlying JNDI processing flaws. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict unnecessary access to Java applications and services, particularly those that utilize JNDI functionality. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that limit which Java applications can execute within their environments, reducing the attack surface available to potential exploit attempts. Additionally, monitoring and logging should be enhanced to detect anomalous JNDI activity that might indicate exploitation attempts, while security awareness training should be provided to development teams to prevent the introduction of vulnerable JNDI usage patterns in new applications. The ATT&CK framework's T1059.007 technique for Windows Command Shell execution and T1105 for remote file execution could be relevant in analyzing potential exploitation patterns, as attackers may leverage compromised JNDI services to establish persistence or execute malicious payloads. Organizations should also consider implementing Java security policies that restrict JNDI lookup operations and disable unnecessary directory service functionality to minimize the risk of exploitation.