CVE-2018-2800 in Java SE
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the Java SE, JRockit component of Oracle Java SE (subcomponent: RMI). Supported versions that are affected are Java SE: 6u181, 7u171 and 8u162; JRockit: R28.3.17. Difficult to exploit vulnerability allows unauthenticated attacker with network access via multiple protocols to compromise Java SE, JRockit. Successful attacks require human interaction from a person other than the attacker. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in unauthorized update, insert or delete access to some of Java SE, JRockit accessible data as well as unauthorized read access to a subset of Java SE, 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 4.2 (Confidentiality and Integrity impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:N).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/02/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-2800 resides within the Remote Method Invocation (RMI) subsystem of Oracle Java SE and JRockit runtime environments, representing a critical security weakness that affects multiple version lines including Java SE 6u181, 7u171, and 8u162 along with JRockit R28.3.17. This flaw operates at the core of Java's distributed computing framework where RMI enables objects to communicate across network boundaries through remote method calls. The vulnerability manifests as a privilege escalation issue that can be exploited by unauthenticated attackers who possess network access to the affected systems, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where Java applications are widely deployed. The CVSS score of 4.2 indicates a low to medium severity classification, though the implications for data integrity and confidentiality remain significant.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the RMI component's handling of serialized objects, which creates opportunities for malicious data injection attacks. Attackers can leverage this weakness by crafting specially designed data packets that exploit the RMI service to gain unauthorized access to system resources. The attack requires human interaction from users other than the attacker, typically involving a legitimate user performing actions that trigger the vulnerable code path within the Java runtime environment. This requirement for human interaction, while providing some mitigation, does not eliminate the threat entirely as social engineering techniques can be employed to trick users into triggering the vulnerable functionality. The vulnerability specifically targets the data access mechanisms within Java SE and JRockit, allowing attackers to perform unauthorized operations including data modification and unauthorized data reading.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-2800 extends beyond simple data theft to encompass potential system compromise and unauthorized modifications to critical application data. Successful exploitation can result in unauthorized update, insert, or delete operations against Java accessible data, while also enabling unauthorized read access to sensitive information. This vulnerability particularly affects systems where Java applications are used for business-critical functions, web services, and enterprise applications that rely on RMI for inter-process communication. The attack vector through multiple protocols including TCP and UDP makes it difficult to defend against using traditional network segmentation approaches, as the vulnerability can be triggered through various network communication channels. Organizations running affected Java versions face significant risk of data breaches and system integrity compromise, especially in environments where RMI services are exposed to untrusted networks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-2800 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Java installations to the latest supported versions, as Oracle has released security updates addressing this specific vulnerability. Network-level defenses should include implementing strict firewall rules that limit access to RMI ports and services, particularly those exposed to external networks. Organizations should also consider disabling RMI functionality where it is not strictly required for business operations, and implementing application-level controls that validate all incoming data before processing. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which describes "Improper Input Validation," and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1190 "Exploit Public-Facing Application" as it involves exploitation of publicly accessible Java services. Regular security assessments and monitoring of Java application logs should be implemented to detect potential exploitation attempts, while security awareness training can help reduce the risk of social engineering attacks that might trigger this vulnerability through user interaction requirements.