CVE-2018-2795 in Java SE
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the Java SE, Java SE Embedded, JRockit component of Oracle Java SE (subcomponent: Security). Supported versions that are affected are Java SE: 6u181, 7u171, 8u162 and 10; Java SE Embedded: 8u161; JRockit: R28.3.17. Easily exploitable 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 ability to cause a partial denial of service (partial DOS) of Java SE, Java SE Embedded, JRockit. 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 5.3 (Availability impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:L).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/02/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-2795 resides within Oracle Java SE, Java SE Embedded, and JRockit components, specifically affecting the Security subcomponent. This weakness manifests in versions Java SE 6u181, 7u171, 8u162, and 10, along with Java SE Embedded 8u161 and JRockit R28.3.17. The flaw represents a significant security concern as it enables exploitation through multiple network protocols without requiring authentication, making it particularly dangerous for environments where Java applications are deployed in server configurations. The vulnerability's impact extends across both client and server deployments, creating widespread exposure opportunities for organizations utilizing these Java implementations.
This vulnerability operates as an easily exploitable weakness that allows unauthorized attackers to perform partial denial of service attacks against affected Java systems. The technical nature of the flaw involves a failure in the security mechanisms that should protect Java runtime environments from malicious input or network-based attacks. The CVSS 3.0 scoring system assigns this vulnerability a base score of 5.3, with the availability impact component receiving a rating of 0.4, indicating that successful exploitation can lead to partial disruption of service availability. The attack vector is classified as network-based with low attack complexity, no required privileges, and no user interaction needed, making it particularly attractive to attackers seeking to disrupt Java-based services.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-2795 extends beyond simple service disruption as it affects critical infrastructure components that rely on Java for their operation. Organizations deploying Java applications in production environments face potential service degradation or partial outages that could affect business operations and customer access to services. The vulnerability's exploitation pathways include both sandboxed Java Web Start applications and applets, as well as direct API interactions through web services, expanding the attack surface significantly. This characteristic aligns with ATT&CK framework concept of privilege escalation and denial of service techniques, where attackers can leverage weaknesses in application security to compromise system availability.
The exploitability characteristics of this vulnerability make it particularly concerning for enterprise environments, as it can be triggered through various attack vectors without requiring specialized knowledge or elevated privileges. The fact that it affects multiple Java versions and implementations increases the potential attack surface, while the partial denial of service impact means that organizations may experience intermittent service disruptions that can be difficult to diagnose and remediate. Organizations should consider implementing network segmentation and monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts, as well as applying the appropriate security patches from Oracle to address the vulnerability. The weakness demonstrates a fundamental flaw in the Java security model that could potentially be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks if combined with other vulnerabilities, making proactive remediation essential for maintaining system integrity and availability.