CVE-2018-2637 in Java SE
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the Java SE, Java SE Embedded, JRockit component of Oracle Java SE (subcomponent: JMX). 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 creation, deletion or modification access to critical data or all Java SE, Java SE Embedded, JRockit accessible data as well as unauthorized access to critical data or complete access to all Java SE, Java SE Embedded, JRockit accessible data. Note: This vulnerability can only be exploited by supplying data to APIs in the specified Component without using Untrusted Java Web Start applications or Untrusted Java applets, such as through a web service. CVSS 3.0 Base Score 7.4 (Confidentiality and Integrity impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/31/2021
This vulnerability resides within the Java Management Extensions (JMX) component of Oracle Java SE, Java SE Embedded, 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. The vulnerability operates at the core of Java's management infrastructure, which provides monitoring and management capabilities for Java applications through standardized interfaces. This flaw manifests as a remote code execution vulnerability that can be exploited by unauthenticated attackers who gain network access through various protocols, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where Java applications are extensively deployed. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-20 indicates a weakness in input validation, specifically in how JMX handles incoming data through its APIs without proper sanitization or authentication checks.
The technical exploitation of CVE-2018-2637 occurs when attackers supply malicious data to the affected JMX APIs, bypassing the typical security boundaries that would normally prevent unauthorized access through web start applications or applets. This attack vector demonstrates a fundamental flaw in the JMX implementation where the system fails to properly validate or sanitize data inputs, allowing attackers to manipulate the management interfaces directly. The vulnerability's CVSS score of 7.4 reflects the high severity of potential impacts including unauthorized modification and deletion of critical data, as well as complete access to all data accessible through the affected Java components. The attack complexity is rated as high (AC:H) due to the specific conditions required for exploitation, while the lack of required privileges (PR:N) and user interaction (UI:N) makes it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited remotely without authentication.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data compromise, as it can lead to complete system compromise through unauthorized access to critical data and modification capabilities. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain complete control over Java applications and their underlying management interfaces, potentially leading to data breaches, system manipulation, and unauthorized access to sensitive information. The vulnerability affects not just individual applications but entire Java runtime environments, making it particularly dangerous in large-scale deployments where multiple applications depend on the same management interfaces. Organizations running affected Java versions face significant risk of unauthorized access to critical business data, system configuration changes, and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-2637 should focus on immediate patching of affected Java versions, implementation of network segmentation to limit access to JMX interfaces, and configuration of proper firewall rules to restrict access to management ports. Organizations should also consider disabling JMX interfaces when not actively needed, implementing strict access controls through authentication mechanisms, and monitoring for unusual activity in management interfaces. The vulnerability's characteristics align with ATT&CK techniques related to privilege escalation and defense evasion, particularly through the use of legitimate system tools for malicious purposes. Regular security assessments of Java environments, implementation of network monitoring solutions, and adherence to Oracle's security bulletins are essential for maintaining protection against this and similar vulnerabilities. Organizations should also implement zero-trust network architectures that verify all access attempts to management interfaces regardless of their origin, as the vulnerability's design allows for exploitation without traditional authentication mechanisms.