CVE-2018-2633 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 require human interaction from a person other than the attacker and while the vulnerability is in Java SE, Java SE Embedded, JRockit, attacks may significantly impact additional products. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in takeover 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 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 • 01/31/2021
This vulnerability resides within the Java Naming and Directory Interface component of Oracle Java SE and JRockit runtime environments, specifically affecting versions including Java SE 6u171, 7u161, 8u152, 9.0.1, Java SE Embedded 8u151, and JRockit R28.3.16. The flaw represents a critical security weakness classified under CWE-200, where insufficient input validation allows for remote code execution through network-based attacks. The vulnerability operates at the core of Java's naming services, which are fundamental to directory lookups and name resolution within distributed applications. Attackers can exploit this weakness by leveraging multiple network protocols to execute malicious code without requiring authentication, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where Java applications are widely deployed.
The technical exploitation requires a specific sequence of conditions where an unauthenticated attacker must establish network connectivity to the vulnerable Java runtime environment. While the vulnerability appears difficult to exploit due to the high attack complexity requirements, the actual attack vector involves supplying malicious data to the JNDI APIs through various application deployment methods including web services, Java Web Start applications, and Java applets. The CVSS 3.0 score of 8.3 reflects the severe impact across confidentiality, integrity, and availability domains, indicating that successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise. This vulnerability demonstrates the dangerous intersection of Java's security model and directory service integration, where malicious actors can manipulate name resolution processes to execute arbitrary code.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system compromise, as it affects both client and server deployments of Java applications, creating a broad attack surface. Organizations running Java-based applications, web services, and enterprise systems are particularly vulnerable since attackers can exploit this weakness through sandboxed environments, making traditional security boundaries ineffective. The requirement for human interaction, while limiting automatic exploitation, does not prevent sophisticated social engineering campaigns from leveraging this vulnerability effectively. This characteristic places the vulnerability in the ATT&CK framework under techniques related to social engineering and initial access, while also representing a critical point of compromise for enterprise security infrastructure. The vulnerability's presence in both client and server environments means that organizations must implement comprehensive patching strategies across all Java installations, including embedded systems and legacy applications that may not receive regular security updates.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of affected Java versions, implementing network segmentation to limit access to vulnerable Java applications, and deploying application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of untrusted code. Organizations should also consider disabling unnecessary JNDI functionality and implementing strict network access controls to limit exposure. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining current Java runtime environments and demonstrates how seemingly isolated component flaws can result in system-wide compromise. Security teams must prioritize this vulnerability in their risk assessment frameworks and ensure that all Java-based applications undergo thorough security reviews to identify potential exploitation vectors through directory service integration.